Government to Launch AI and Freelancing Training at Union Level

# Decision made to introduce AI and freelancing training at the union level to build rural tech skills.
# Advanced 'Artificial Intelligence Research Lab' inaugurated at Daffodil International University (DIU).
# ​ICT Division to provide financial and technical support to the top 20 showcased AI projects.
​# A total of 12 innovator teams across six distinct categories received awards at the competition.
​# DIU declared to be developed as the country's first 'AI-Native' university.
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​To bridge the digital divide and foster a highly skilled workforce at the grassroots, the government has decided to launch AI (Artificial Intelligence) and freelancer training programs at the union level. This initiative will be supported by high-speed connectivity across villages, utilizing satellite technology where necessary. The announcement was made during the inauguration ceremony of the 'AI Project Competition 2026' and the research lab hosted at Daffodil International University.

Faqir Mahbub Anam, Minister for Posts, Telecommunications & Information Technology and Science & Technology, attended as the chief guest to officially inaugurate the landmark event.

​The cutting-edge lab facility has been set up on the ground floor of Building 4 at the university's permanent campus, comprising two designated rooms. One room houses 25 Nvidia DJ Spark PCs where university students and researchers actively perform computational tasks.

The other room features 7 specialized computers equipped with RTX 3060 and RTX 4090 graphics cards dedicated to creating industry-oriented AI agents. Currently, 5 full-time researchers are employed at the lab to address real-life complex problems, agent development, and intelligence-driven product solutions. The research unit has already developed innovations like 'AI Professor', 'AI Proctor', and 'AI Register', and is currently working on the 'Smart Classroom' project. Alongside the lab inauguration, a special exhibition displaying 145 student-built AI projects was organized at the Student Lounge in the Knowledge Tower, where 12 innovator teams across six categories were awarded.

Presided over by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, the event was addressed by DIU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. M. R. Kabir, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Masum Iqbal, and the Head of the Computing and Information Systems Department, Professor Dr. Md. Sarwar Hossain Mollah.

​Speaking at the event, Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam stated that Artificial Intelligence is not merely a technology; it is a primary driver of the future economy, employment, and innovation. Out of the 145 showcased projects, the top 20 commercially viable projects will receive comprehensive technical and financial marketization support from the ICT Division. In line with the Prime Minister's vision, 1 million jobs will be created in the ICT sector over the next 5 years. He noted that the country aims to export skilled human resources globally, adding that even China is seeking skilled personnel from Bangladesh.

He emphasized that this lab will serve as a vibrant hub for students to master advanced systems and invent industry-focused applications.

​In his presidential address, Dr. Md. Sabur Khan declared Daffodil International University as the first 'AI-Native' university in the country. He stated that the institution aims to meet its own requirements by building proprietary AI agents while simultaneously providing technological assistance to the state.
​//DBTech/IH/Ek//