In the context of the vigorous outbreak of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged and is increasingly becoming a core technology, offering numerous groundbreaking benefits. In Vietnam, Resolution No. 52-NQ/TW dated September 27, 2019, of the Politburo, and Decision No. 127/QĐ-TTg of the Prime Minister both explicitly demonstrate the attention of the entire political system and the State to the development of the AI industry. However, alongside the rapid advancement of AI, its adverse impacts on the environment have become increasingly alarming. AI systems consume a vast amount of electricity and natural resources and produce significant levels of carbon emissions, thereby exacerbating global environmental challenges such as climate change, water pollution, and natural resource degradation.
The environment, defined as the entirety of natural and man-made physical elements surrounding humans and living beings and directly affecting human life and production, is facing the risk of severe degradation and pollution. Therefore, researching and controlling the negative impacts of AI on environmental protection is not only urgent but also a prerequisite for ensuring the sustainable development of society as a whole.
Nonetheless, the current legal framework governing AI remains inadequate and fails to keep pace with technological advancements, resulting in numerous regulatory gaps in managing and mitigating the adverse effects of AI on the environment. Accordingly, it is imperative to establish specific legislative orientations to develop a legal framework for controlling the negative impacts of AI on the environment in Vietnam.
