CPD tracker reviews 362 government actions highlighting AI progress alongside policy concerns
CPD's Six-Month Economic Review: Tech Relief Amid Unease
- AI and technology integration bring relief, but political appointments spark concern.
- Project dashboard and LNG solutions remain unclear
- CPD tracker analyzes 362 actions showing mixed post-election performance
While the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital systems has provided partial relief during the first six months of the new government, underlying economic concerns remain prominent. The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has developed a comprehensive digital tracker analyzing 362 specific actions and policy measures taken by the government. Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow at CPD and Convenor of the Citizen's Platform for SDGs, presented these findings during a media dialogue titled "First Six Months of the New Government: An Economic Review" held at the CPD Dialogue Room on August 24, 2026, Monday.
The presentation highlighted technological milestones, including AI-based automated traffic enforcement, operational e-Bail Bond systems in judiciary courts, and expanded digital e-Filing under the NBR. However, Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya remarked that despite relief in tech adoption like traffic AI, political appointments across public institutions remain highly unacceptable. He noted that while citizens hoped for an economic turnaround, the shift from corruption to persistent extortion creates ongoing discomfort.
The report emphasized that while digital tax submission is a positive step, the government has yet to establish a public expenditure review commission or release the long-awaited project dashboard. On the energy front, while renewed domestic gas exploration initiatives are welcoming, the technical and technological strategy regarding the reinstated LNG terminal at Moheshkhali lacks clarity, amplifying concerns over recurring energy shortages impacting industrial production.
Furthermore, analyzing human rights and missing-persons legal frameworks revealed procedural gaps, noting that permitting law enforcement to investigate allegations against themselves presents a clear conflict of interest. The CPD recovery scorecard evaluated 31 key macroeconomic indicators, showing deterioration in 19 areas and improvement in 12, with NBR revenue shortfalls projected near BDT 1 lakh crore.
Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya concluded that leveraging technology, AI, and transparent data dashboards within an integrated core budget framework is vital to navigating this protracted recovery.
CPD Distinguished Fellow Prof. Mustafizur Rahman and Additional Research Director TowfiqulIslam Khan were also present and participated in the discussions. The research team included Shourza Talukder, Asir Newaz Khan, Jubair Zahir Chowdhury, Nafisa Tarannum, Mamtajul Jannat, Naima Jahan Trisha, Mahdia Mahmud Taima, Khawja Masham Fahim, Mahathir Mahmud, Tarannum Jinan, Md. Rifat Bin Aowlad, Zarin Tasnim, and Nahian Raihana Prapti.
//DBTech/NAP/SMIH//
