BLENDING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) AND TEACHING METHOD INNOVATION IN VIETNAM’S NON – PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

The accelerating wave of digital transformation has positioned artificial intelligence (AI) as a central driver of educational change, reshaping how teaching and learning are conceived across the globe. In Vietnam’s private universities - a sector characterized by agility, diversity and growing societal impact - the integration of AI into teaching innovation represents both an opportunity and a challenge. This study explores how AI can be strategically blended with teaching method innovation to enhance educational quality, expand learner engagement and reinforce institutional competitiveness in an increasingly knowledge-driven economy. Drawing on a synthesis of theoretical frameworks, policy orientations and empirical insights from selected private universities, the article demonstrates that AI adoption is most effective when aligned with human-centered values, local cultural contexts and sustainable governance. Rather than framing AI as a substitute for the educator, the research highlights its role as a catalyst for reimagining pedagogy: enabling personalized learning pathways, fostering interactive and immersive classroom experiences and equipping students with future-ready competencies. The findings underscore the need for an ecosystem approach - where institutions, faculty, learners and policymakers collaborate to co-create actionable strategies for AI integration. By doing so, private universities in Vietnam can transform into innovation hubs that not only respond to global academic trends but also nurture inclusive, context-sensitive and future-oriented education. The contribution of this article lies in bridging theory and practice, offering a roadmap that advances scholarly debates on AI in higher education while providing pragmatic guidance for institutional leaders, educators and stakeholders engaged in Vietnam’s digital transformation.