Digital Sovereignty or Dependency? The Political Economy of AI Infrastructure in Vietnam
In a working paper for SSRN (Social Science Research Network), NYSEAN Member Haakon Huynh analyzes the political economy of AI infrastructure in Vietnam, focusing on how the Vietnamese state regulates data centers and cloud services while increasing reliance on foreign capital and expertise. The following is the abstract of the paper:
This working paper analyzes the political economy of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in Vietnam, focusing on how the Vietnamese state regulates data centers and cloud services while increasingly reliant on foreign capital and expertise. Through the lenses of neoliberalism and dependency theory, the paper argues that Vietnam follows a hybrid model of digital development: it liberalizes its AI infrastructure sector to attract investment, while retaining regulatory control over critical data flows. Through a case study of recent partnerships with American tech firm NVIDIA, the paper examines how foreign-led infrastructure development interacts with state efforts to establish AI sovereignty. Vietnam's legal frameworks, including the 2024 Telecommunications Decree and Data Law, enable foreign operation of AI-enabling infrastructure but reserve discretion over access to national databases and cross-border data transfers. The paper contrasts Vietnam's approach with China's state-capitalist model, arguing that Vietnam's strategy reflects negotiated dependency rather than techno-nationalist autonomy.
Call for Collaborators on AI Governance in Southeast Asia
Haakon Huynh (Columbia University) is seeking collaborators for ongoing research on artificial intelligence (AI) governance in Southeast Asia. His recent working paper, “Digital Sovereignty or Dependency? The Political Economy of AI Infrastructure in Vietnam,” examines how Vietnam governs AI infrastructure amid growing foreign investment from firms like NVIDIA.
Haakon welcomes contact from scholars, practitioners, and students interested in AI policy, digital infrastructure, or the political economy of technology in the region.
Contact: hh3099@columbia.edu
