Experts Emphasize Responsible AI and Local Infrastructure

Speakers have emphasized the importance of developing domestic AI models and infrastructure in Bangladesh to safeguard the country from the potentially harmful aspects of artificial intelligence (AI) and ensure its effective and responsible use. They also highlighted the need for appropriate policy frameworks and the integration of AI ethics into education from an early stage.

These views were expressed on Monday, 5 January, at the discussion session titled “Responsible Artificial Intelligence for Bangladesh: Policy and Design Challenges”, held at the Lecture Gallery of the Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka.

The session was opened with a welcome speech by Professor Dr. B. M. Moinul Hossain, Director of the Institute of Information Technology (IIT), University of Dhaka.

Speakers included Dr. Ishtiak Ahmed, Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Sharifa Sultana, Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Also present were Dr. Julkarain Jahangir from UNESCO’s Experts Without Borders on AI and Rashed Mujib Noman, Country Director of Augmedix Bangladesh.

Dr. Ishtiak Ahmed emphasized that AI technology is highly resource-intensive, particularly in electricity and water, posing a major challenge for resource-limited countries like Bangladesh. He noted the importance of planning AI infrastructure with this reality in mind.

Dr. Sharifa Sultana highlighted that a clear and realistic AI policy is necessary before building AI infrastructure in the country. She stressed that failing to integrate AI ethics into the education system would make it difficult to manage the technology’s negative impacts in the future.

Rashed Mujib Noman pointed out that local data is the most critical factor for establishing domestic AI infrastructure, but noted that Bangladesh faces a significant shortage of such data.

The session was attended by officials from various levels of Bangladesh Bank, representatives of mobile phone operators, and students from the University of Dhaka. In addition, IIT students Tasnim and Mehejabin presented a research paper on the topic.

DBTech/HAH/EK/OR