Artificial Intelligence for Training Management and Distance Education Operations: A Case Study of ETALI, Thai Nguyen University of Technology

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly reshaping educational systems, not only in teaching and learning but also in academic administration, student support, and data-driven decision-making. This study investigates the applicability of AI in training management and distance education operations at the Education Technology and Adaptive Learning Institute (ETALI), Thai Nguyen University of Technology, Vietnam. The research was motivated by the rapid expansion of ETALI’s distance education programs, with enrollment increasing from fewer than 100 students in 2021 to approximately 1,000 students in 2025, and the number of distance education majors growing from one to seven. Using a mixed-method and system development life cycle-oriented approach, the study analyzed current infrastructure, data resources, operational bottlenecks, and organizational readiness. The findings indicate that AI can deliver the highest short-term value in four priority areas: academic advisory chatbots, learning analytics dashboards with early-warning functions, automated report generation, and AI-assisted administrative drafting. However, the effectiveness of AI depends on three enabling foundations: standardized data, streamlined workflows, and human capacity development. The paper proposes a five-layer modular AI integration model and a phased implementation roadmap for ETALI. The study contributes a practical framework for responsible AI adoption in distance higher education institutions operating under resource and governance constraints.