Security, Skills and Industry Focus
Tech Leaders Eye AI Transformation
- AI could transform manufacturing, healthcare and financial technology
- Industry-academia links vital for future digital workforce
- Cybersecurity essential for a trusted digital economy
Technology professionals and entrepreneurs in Bangladesh have called for greater use of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform manufacturing, healthcare, financial technology, connectivity and business growth. They said effective AI adoption must be accompanied by cybersecurity, responsible technology use, skilled human resources and stronger industry-academia partnerships to accelerate the country’s digital economy.
The views were shared at the day-long ‘BITPN IT Leaders Connect 2026’, organised by the Bangladesh IT Professionals Network (BITPN) at Gulshan Shooting Club in Dhaka on Saturday, 19 September 2026. Technology leaders, entrepreneurs, bankers and academics took part in discussions throughout the event.
BITPN adviser and event chairman Shahzeb Hossain and Vice President S M Sajjad Hossain delivered the welcome remarks, while BITPN founder and President Faruk Azam Arshad delivered the keynote address. This meeting of IT professionals and entrepreneurs featured four thematic panel discussions. These conversations have focused on how effectively AI may be employed as an agent without fear of AI and serve as the cornerstone of an AI-rich economy.
AI across industries
Shayerul Haque Zowardar, Group Chief Technology Officer of SFPL of Abul Khair Group and Robintx Group, discussed the future of manufacturing through AI-powered smart factories.
Dr Ahmed Arman Siddique, Chief Executive Officer of Grameen HealthTech Ltd, highlighted the potential of technology to transform healthcare and build smarter and more inclusive health systems.
Tawfiqur Karim Suhrid, Managing Director and CEO of Fingertips Innovations Ltd, discussed the role of automation in Bangladesh’s digital transformation. Rafiqur Islam Rauly, Managing Director and Co-founder of CSL Software Resources Ltd, examined how AI is changing the technology business landscape.
Sharful Alam, CEO of Felicity IDC Ltd, discussed Bangladesh’s digital capabilities, from connectivity infrastructure to AI. Osman Ershad Foyez, Managing Director and CEO of Dhaka Bank PLC, spoke about the future of financial technology in the AI era.
From AI vision to implementation
The first panel, ‘AI-Driven Bangladesh: From Vision to Implementation’, featured Md Imdadul Islam, Wahid Sadat Chowdhury, Md Maksud Hossain, Shoaib Naushad and Anamul Haque Collins. The session examined the opportunities and practical aspects of building an AI-driven Bangladesh.
During the afternoon session, Md Habibur Rahman, Engineering Manager at Dynamic Solution Innovators Ltd, spoke on ‘Beyond the AI Hype: From Productivity Gains to Real-World Challenges’, focusing on practical productivity gains and implementation challenges surrounding AI.
Title sponsor Access Telecom Bangladesh Ltd, gold sponsor Pico Cloud Ltd and silver sponsor Grameen HealthTech Ltd showcased their products and technology solutions at the event.
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Building the future workforceThe panel titled ‘Industry-Academia Partnership: Building the Digital Workforce of the Future’ brought together Shamim Azad, Dr Shajjad Hossain, Shahzeb Hossain, Rezaul Karim and Sayeka Haque. The discussion focused on aligning education and skills development with the changing needs of the technology industry. The panel ‘Women Entrepreneurs: Innovation, Leadership and Economic Growth’ featured BACCO Director Saima Shawkat, Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jaharat Adib Chowdhury, former BASIS Senior Vice President Farhana A. Rahman, entrepreneur Fahima Akter and Emrazina Islam. The discussion highlighted women’s participation in technology- and innovation-driven entrepreneurship. |
AI, blockchain and cybersecurity
Khandaker Atik-e-Rabbani, Chairman of The Computers Ltd, discussed the potential role of blockchain in advancing AI into more mature technology applications. BACCO Secretary General Faisal Alim highlighted the 25-year journey of the mobile value-added services industry.
Yusuf Farooqui, CEO of Raptus, discussed AI governance, trust-building, risk management and the need for large-scale AI security. Mohammad Samiul Islam, Managing Director of Ubik Corporation Ltd, examined the future impact of technology, while Palash Mallick, Associate Director at Deloitte, discussed future technology leadership in light of the capabilities and limitations of AI.
The fourth panel, ‘AI, Fintech and Cybersecurity: A Trusted Digital Economy’, featured Saifuddin M Nasir, M. Soud Imran, S M Tofail Ahmed, Md Abul Kalam Azad and Zainal Abedin. The session focused on secure digital financial systems and the importance of cybersecurity.
Toward a global technology economy
Maksud Hossain, Chairman of Makzheon Ltd, discussed the potential for building a $200 billion technology economy in Bangladesh and pathways for turning local talent into global businesses.
The final speaker, Md Shahidul Islam Khan, Managing Director of Growth Technology Ltd, highlighted the role of AI in driving business growth.
The closing session featured a BITPN presentation, lifetime achievement recognition, guest and star performer honours, and a raffle draw.
According to BITPN, the organisation serves as a networking and knowledge-sharing platform for IT professionals, technology entrepreneurs and industry leaders in Bangladesh. It aims to strengthen the country’s technology ecosystem by building stronger links among industry, academia and policymakers.
//DBTech/FAAI/SME/MIST//
