Bangladesh Forum Opens on AI-Era Internet Governance 

The 21st Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum 2026 has opened with a focus on addressing the challenges of internet governance in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), including online safety, Bengali-language digital content and inclusive access to technology. The three-day forum brings together stakeholders to discuss responsible AI use, cybersecurity and ways to reduce the digital divide. The opening ceremony was held on Thursday morning at the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, with BTRC Chairman Major General Md Emdad Ul Bari (Retd.) attending as the chief guest.

Jointly organized by the BTRC and the Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF), the event will feature 12 sessions involving more than 200 participants, including policymakers, telecommunications experts, academics, technology professionals, entrepreneurs and students.

Addressing the opening ceremony, BTRC Chairman Major General Md Emdad Ul Bari (Retd.) said that ensuring voice-call connectivity had been the primary goal in the early years of Bangladesh’s telecommunications sector. Over time, the sector moved from voice to data and has now entered the era of artificial intelligence. He said effective AI adoption requires the restructuring of existing workflows and operational frameworks.

Highlighting significant progress in Bangladesh’s telecommunications sector over the past three decades, he said the country’s network and infrastructure were relatively strong. However, using that infrastructure effectively to connect people and enable them to make meaningful use of the internet remained a major challenge.

He also noted that the world has approximately 7,500 languages, with Bengali ranking as the seventh-largest language globally. Yet Bengali accounts for around 0.1% of total online content. To address this shortage, he said, Bangladesh needs more high-quality Bengali content, digital services and AI-based applications. Meaningful connectivity and inclusive digital development will depend in part on enabling rural communities to use the internet and AI effectively for education, employment and economic activities.

At the forum, Brigadier General Mohammad Khalil Ur Rahman (Retd.), former director general of BTRC’s Systems and Services Division, highlighted the growing importance of national cybersecurity in protecting critical infrastructure, sensitive information and essential services. He identified six key pillars of a national cybersecurity strategy: critical infrastructure protection; cyber incident response and coordination; public-private partnerships; legal and regulatory frameworks; skilled workforce development and education; and international cooperation. He also warned about AI-driven cyber threats, including deepfakes and automated phishing.

Joining virtually from Singapore, Joyce Chen, senior adviser at the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), discussed the far-reaching effects of artificial intelligence. She emphasized coordinated efforts by governments and other stakeholders to address challenges involving online safety, human rights and environmental sustainability.

Anja Gengo, a digital policy and regulation expert at the United Nations Internet Governance Forum Secretariat, joined online from Geneva, Switzerland. She emphasized the importance of protecting children online, preventing cyberbullying and increasing women’s participation in digital spaces.

Dr. Md. Munjur E Khoda Torofdar, acting vice-chancellor and treasurer of Far East International University, discussed online fraud, the social impact of digital platforms on young people and disparities in internet use between urban and rural communities. He called for inclusive policies to ensure that the benefits of digital transformation reach people across all social and professional groups.

In his welcome address, A. H. M. Bazlur Rahman, a member of the Multistakeholder Consultation Group of the United Nations Group on the Information Society, stressed the need for greater cooperation and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders to build a safe, inclusive and human-centred digital future. He said effective internet governance requires upholding human rights, ensuring gender equality and making the benefits of technological progress accessible to everyone.

Running through October 17, the forum will discuss a range of topics, including AI policy, digital public infrastructure, data governance, cybersecurity, digital inclusion, sustainable development and digital democracy. One of its key objectives is to strengthen cooperation among the government, industry, educational institutions and civil society to build an inclusive, secure and resilient digital environment for Bangladesh.

//DBTech/ART/SMP/OEM//