In Vietnam's Nghe An province, a region traditionally renowned for its academic rigor and competitive spirit, the success of Le Dang Manh has caused a stir that goes beyond mere high scores. Manh, who ranked second in Group A (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry) in his region, made a statement that reflects a tectonic shift occurring in classrooms worldwide: "I consider Artificial Intelligence my classmate." This phrase is not just a metaphor; it is a profound recognition of the new symbiotic relationship between human cognition and algorithmic support.
From Tool to Classmate: A Paradigm Shift
For decades, technology in education was relegated to roles of filing or presentation. Calculators and search engines were passive recipients of queries. However, the advent of Large Language Models (LLMs) has changed the game. As Manh explains, AI didn't just give him ready-made answers—which would amount to cheating—but acted as a 24/7 partner capable of explaining complex concepts of quantum physics or organic chemistry in various ways until they were fully understood.
This approach transforms AI from an "answer engine" into a "Socratic interlocutor." The student is no longer a passive recipient of information from a teacher at a podium, but an active researcher using AI to fill their personal knowledge gaps. In Manh's case, AI was used to optimize his study schedule, analyze his mistakes in mock tests, and provide alternative problem-solving methods that traditional textbooks often overlook.
The Democratization of Elite Knowledge
One of the most intriguing aspects of the story from Nghe An is its social dimension. Traditionally, students aiming for top performance relied on expensive private tutoring, accessible mainly to urban elites. Artificial Intelligence acts as the great equalizer. A student in a rural province of Vietnam now has access to the same level of explanatory power as a student in a private school in Saigon or New York.
- Personalized Learning: AI's ability to adjust difficulty levels based on the student's progress.
- Instant Feedback: Reducing the time gap between a question arising and its resolution.
- Multimodality: Using text, images, and code to visualize abstract concepts.
However, this democratization brings new challenges. The "digital divide" is no longer just about internet access, but about the ability to use these tools critically. Manh succeeded because he knew how to "ask" the AI—a skill known as prompt engineering, which is becoming as important as the subject matter itself.
Risks of Dependency and Human Judgment
Despite the excitement, the educational community remains cautious. The risk of "cognitive atrophy" is real. If a student relies on AI to solve every difficult equation, will they ever develop the neural connections required for deep critical thinking? Manh's answer to this is clear: AI is the classmate, not a replacement for the brain. The final synthesis and application of knowledge in real-world scenarios remains a deeply human process.
"AI can show you the path, but you must walk it yourself. If you let it carry you, you will reach the destination but never learn the journey."
Furthermore, there is the issue of AI "hallucinations." These models often produce incorrect results with great confidence. The top scorer's success was based on his ability to cross-reference AI information with textbooks and teacher instructions. This critical stance toward technology is perhaps the most important lesson the new generation needs to learn.
The Future of the Classroom
The story from Vietnam foreshadows a future where the teacher's role shifts from providing information to mentoring and the ethical framing of knowledge. Educators will not compete with AI; they will teach students how to collaborate with it. Le Dang Manh's case proves that AI, when used with moderation and strategy, does not threaten excellence but elevates it, allowing the human spirit to focus on creativity and high-level problem-solving.
