AI Art- A-Thon Amplifies Culture: Dhaka Hosts First Human-AI Creative Collaboration Event
In a pioneering initiative to represent Bangladesh’s rich culture and diverse society through the synergy of human and artificial intelligence, the country hosted its first-ever AI ArT-A-Thon in Dhaka. The gala round of the hackathon took place on Thursday (April 17) at the ICT Tower in Agargaon, featuring a vibrant mix of Bangladeshi artists, professionals, students (including visual artists, filmmakers, architects, graphic designers, content creators), technologists, and AI enthusiasts.
Organized jointly by UNDP Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) under the ICT Division, with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka, the hackathon received 380 submissions across two categories. From these, 21 projects were showcased at the gala round. Two teams were selected as winners and two as runners-up, with a total prize fund of BDT 600,000.
Dr. Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Principal Advisor of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, was present at the event.
In his address as the chief guest, he stated, “We are working on critical reforms ranging from data protection to cyber security. Simultaneously, efforts are ongoing to formulate a robust AI policy for Bangladesh that ensures ethical, inclusive, and secure practices. As AI increasingly intersects with the creative sector, it must preserve our ethnic voices and cultural narratives while upholding ethical standards. It will have a profound impact on creative social harmony and contribute meaningfully through values-driven operation.”
He further added, “Technology-driven professions such as freelancing and digital entrepreneurship are reshaping Bangladesh’s economy, and we are committed to fostering this momentum. As we closely observe global AI policy developments, we call on our tech and creative communities to actively contribute their insights. We seek inclusive and principled AI frameworks that reflect Bangladesh’s unique cultural context and serve the broader public interest.”
Stefan Liller, UNDP Bangladesh’s Resident Representative, said, “In an era of rampant misinformation and potential misuse of artificial intelligence, preserving a nation's heritage and culture carries deep significance. As AI becomes an integral part of daily life, ethical innovation must serve as the guardian of our national identity. Today marks a proud milestone for Bangladesh—not merely in adapting to technological change but in responsibly and authentically reflecting cultural richness through a pioneering initiative.”
Concern over increasing dependence on AI without ethical reflection was expressed by ICT Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury, who said, “As AI becomes a commonplace tool for students and professionals alike, it is crucial to guide and question its use rather than blindly follow it. The national AI Artathon is expected to raise awareness about the importance of ethical use, addressing misuse and limitations.”
Marianne Rabe Nevelsrud, Chargé d’Affaires at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka, emphasized, “As AI evolves rapidly, it is critical to consider what shapes its development. The Artathon encourages reflection on how we integrate our culture, values, and pluralism with AI. Bangladesh’s rich heritage deserves proper representation—not only by humans but through machines as well. With that responsibility, we must ensure AI reflects the diversity and depth of our identity and learns to align with our defining principles.”
A brief background of the initiative was presented by Md. Faisal Bin Majid, Project Manager at UNDP Bangladesh. The session was chaired by Project Director Hossain Bin Amin and attended by Senior Governance Specialist Sheela Tasnim Haque, UNDP Bangladesh’s Head of Communications Md. Abdul Kaiyum, and other senior government officials.
