AI can’t compete with human in curiosity, creativity, emotional intelligence: FPT exec

AI lacks curiosity, creativity, and emotional intelligence - the qualities that humans must prioritize to maintain their competitive edge, says Hoang Nam Tien, former chairman of FPT Software and FPT Telecom under Vietnam's leading tech corporation FPT.

Tien, now vice president of FPT University, made the remark at the Shark Tank Forum 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday. He cited a survey that shows that eight out of 10 accounting positions are predicted to disappear within the next three years due to AI advancements.

The study, involving 37 accountants at small and medium-sized enterprises, revealed that AI could fully handle 33 tasks typically performed by humans. Only four tasks, those requiring legal oversight and significant human interaction, such as payment processing, liaising with tax authorities, auditing, and regulatory compliance, remain beyond AI's reach. Tasks like asset accounting, production accounting, and payroll processing are now well within the scope of AI capabilities and can be fully automated.

Beyond accounting, Tien highlighted the potential for AI agents in customer service. Unlike traditional customer support, which can be slow, AI agents provide instant responses about any product or service, available 24/7. AI can handle 83-92% of common customer inquiries, matching the efficiency of a “digital employee” operating around the clock.

He emphasized the importance of leveraging technology to enhance productivity and customer experiences, and urged startups to ask themselves: "What can AI agents do better than we can?"

To adapt to this trend, Tien encouraged individuals to continuously learn and innovate. He cited financial reporting as an example, noting that AI can reduce processing times from several days to just 10 minutes while delivering high accuracy and deep analysis.

However, he stressed that there are areas where AI cannot compete: curiosity, creativity, and emotional intelligence. These uniquely human qualities are critical for maintaining a competitive advantage.

"AI agents are not a threat; they are an extension of human capabilities," Tien argued, sharing an example from his visit to Vietnam's Mekong Delta provinces. Farmers there use AI for tasks like fertilizer application and pest control, significantly improving crop productivity.

In his concluding remarks, Tien urged businesses to focus on their core strengths and invest in areas where AI has yet to make inroads. He cited FPT University's success in training AI agents and suggested that businesses reevaluate their workforce structures to optimize costs, with the potential to reduce expenses by up to 20%.

"AI isn’t taking our jobs. The only people at risk are those who don’t know how to use AI effectively,” he added.