MillionX Mission: Building One Million AI-Native Bangladeshis

While internet access and device availability have defined development over the past two decades, the key to success in the coming decade will be the effective use of artificial intelligence (AI). Against this backdrop, a long-term initiative to develop one million “AI-native” citizens in Bangladesh is set to begin under the banner of the non-profit organization MillionX Bangladesh. The initiative aims to help Bangladesh face the challenges of the emerging intelligence-driven global economy and to enhance the country’s human capital by tenfold.

The initiative’s formal journey will begin on January 17 with the Genesis AI Conference at the University of Asia Pacific in Dhaka. A day earlier, on January 16, the National AI Build-a-thon will be held at Daffodil Plaza in Sobhanbagh, Dhaka. From 384 registered teams, 62 teams have been selected to compete across five categories in the contest.

The chief architect of the initiative, technologist Dr Junayed Kazi, said, “AI is a powerful enabler that can multiply the impact of any initiative. Our goal is to bring AI to every level—from children and teenagers to teachers, students, and government policymakers—so that everyone can significantly enhance their productivity. The organization will work in an integrated manner across five areas: education, innovation, policymaking, industry, and international collaboration.” He added that the Genesis AI Conference on January 17 will be open to all, with registration available via an online link.

According to the organizers, the inaugural Genesis AI Conference will also launch an initiative to formulate a National AI Charter by combining local talent with global expertise. The day-long event will feature keynote sessions, panel discussions, and special forums aimed at bridging academia and industry. Local and international technologists, policymakers, and industry leaders are expected to attend.

Speaking on behalf of the organizers, Anis Rahman said, “Our core objective is to build a strong network connecting Bangladeshi AI experts around the world with the country’s youth, and to cultivate a ‘ten-X’ mindset.”

Regarding the pre-conference event, technologist Mohammad Mahadiuzzaman said, “This initiative is designed to transform young people’s strong interest in AI into productive outcomes. We will provide the winners with necessary technical support in the next phase.”

It was learned that the University of Asia Pacific, the Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship of Daffodil International University, Bangladesh Open Source Network (BdOSN), and Billions for Bangladesh are involved in the initiative. Technical partners include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Career Canvas, and Vercel V0.

DBTech/MM/MUM/OR