Baseline for AI in 2026

Establishing the baseline for AI in the 2026 landscape means acknowledging that artificial intelligence has fully transitioned from an emerging innovation to a core digital utility. Much like electricity or cloud computing, AI is now an essential layer that organizations expect to be available, reliable, and deeply integrated into their operations. This shift reflects a broader technological maturity: AI is no longer a differentiator reserved for advanced enterprises but a foundational capability shaping how economies function and how industries compete. The first defining feature of this new baseline is pervasive automation. AI systems operate continuously in the background, managing workflows, optimizing processes, and reducing the need for manual intervention. Automation now extends across entire value chains—from logistics and supply‑chain orchestration to customer service and administrative tasks. This constant, ambient automation enables organizations to scale efficiently while redirecting human talent toward strategic and creative work. The second pillar is hyper‑personalization at scale. With the ability to analyze vast streams of behavioral, contextual, and real‑time data, AI delivers experiences tailored to individual needs with remarkable precision. This capability is transforming both the education and retail sectors in Vietnam. In education, AI‑powered platforms can adapt learning pathways, provide real‑time feedback, and support teachers with insights into student progress. In retail, personalization drives targeted recommendations, dynamic pricing, and individualized promotions, reshaping how consumers interact with brands. The third pillar is augmented decision‑making. Leaders increasingly rely on AI‑driven insights, predictive models, and scenario simulations to navigate uncertainty and complexity. Rather than replacing human judgment, AI enhances it, offering clarity in environments where data volumes exceed human capacity. In Vietnam, this augmentation is becoming especially valuable as organizations face rapid digital transformation and evolving market demands. Together, these pillars—automation, personalization, and augmented intelligence—define the new AI baseline for 2026, setting the stage for deeper integration across Vietnam’s education and retail sectors.