AI Aspirations Anchored: Bangladesh’s First National AI Conference Concludes
The country's inaugural Artificial Intelligence (AI) conference concluded on Thursday evening at BRAC University in Dhaka, focusing on the integration of AI in education, agriculture, health, fintech, and industry. Speaking at the closing session, Chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdad Ul Bari, emphasized the urgency of formulating a national AI strategy.
In his keynote address, the BTRC Chairman stated, “An AI revolution cannot occur without government intervention because it involves issues of data privacy and cross-border data exchange.” Sharing personal reflections, he posed a critical question: should AI be used to serve everyone or become a tool of exclusion? He then answered, “Our actions will determine how this immense potential can be harnessed to bring welfare to society. AI is no longer just a concept of the future—it is already part of our lives. Now is the time to make our decisions.”
He added, “This platform did not merely facilitate knowledge sharing among sectoral experts—it opened up a new realm of possibilities. These discussions have taught us that while AI presents vast opportunities, it also brings significant challenges. But the most important takeaway is that the future of this technology will depend on the decisions we make today.”
Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar, Vice Chancellor of BRAC University, highlighted the importance of decentralizing artificial intelligence for the sake of social development and Bangladesh’s future. “The role of AI in national development and expanding financial inclusion is immense,” he said, stressing the need to address emerging ethical challenges, especially those concerning privacy and the balance of power, while ensuring accessible education through AI.
As part of the conference, an AI hackathon awarded six innovative AI solutions. Winning teams included Rajshahi University’s “Machine Mindset” in manufacturing, Military Institute of Science and Technology’s (MIST) “QRARG” in health, “Runtime Terrors” from the Institute of Information Technology in fintech, BRAC University’s “Code Farmers” in agriculture, “Gladiators” from Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) addressing civic issues, and “Burak” from Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) in education. These six teams were crowned champions of the first national AI hackathon.
During the conference, the top 31 teams from the AI Hackathon held in March showcased their innovations. BTRC Chairman presented commemorative cheques worth BDT 100,000 to each of the six winning teams. Other notable attendees included Mohammad Mojibul Hoque, Dean of BRAC Business School, and Shariful Islam, Founder and Managing Director of Bangladesh Brand Forum and Bangladesh Innovation Conclave.
Earlier, panel discussions featured insights from industry leaders and scholars. Speakers noted that millions of people around the world are now using AI-powered technologies in their daily lives. As AI evolves faster than most other technologies, the world is actively adapting to this new reality. In this context, Bangladesh must also leverage AI to solve its local challenges.
Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman stated, “AI is now very powerful. It can be applied in both personal and professional domains. We must ensure that AI is used ethically and effectively. Collaboration among technologists, users, and public and private institutions is essential to its proper use.”
Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), noted, “Technology is now present in all aspects of life—from health to agriculture. It is a medium that empowers people. Therefore, we must apply AI to solve various problems.”
Other panel discussions explored AI’s role in expanding financial services, enabling accessible education, and addressing critical ethical issues such as privacy and power dynamics.
