Bangladesh Hosts First Major AI Business Summit

Bangladesh has launched its first large-scale AI business summit, bringing together technology providers, businesses and international exhibitors to explore how artificial intelligence can drive commercial innovation and transform the country’s economy. A total of 124 local and international organisations are showcasing AI-powered services and solutions, with exhibitors from the United Kingdom and Pakistan also taking part.

The ‘Bangladesh AI Business Summit 2026’ began on Thursday morning, 5 November, at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) in the capital. Organised jointly by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI), the summit is being held under the theme ‘AI-fication for Tomorrow’s Economy’.

Among the notable Bangladeshi participants are Brain Station, Bondstein, BRAC IT, Pathao, Brotex, SSD Tech, Fakir Group and Astha IT. The participating organisations are presenting a range of AI-driven services and technological solutions.

Organisers said the main objective is to provide business leaders with practical insights into how artificial intelligence can positively influence trade and commerce in Bangladesh and how companies can adopt AI-based solutions.

The summit is designed as a business matchmaking platform where entrepreneurs and business organisations can identify suitable technologies and AI solutions according to their specific needs.

Alongside exhibitions and thematic discussions, the event features three dedicated sessions. The first, titled ‘Transformation and Navigating AI Revolution: Application, Prospects and Challenges’, focuses on how AI can improve productivity, competitiveness, innovation and efficiency across the public and private sectors. It will also examine opportunities for new AI-enabled businesses and challenges involving policy, skills and infrastructure.

The session is chaired by Taskeen Ahmed, president of DCCI. Dr Zulkarin Jahangir, assistant professor in the Department of Management at North South University, is scheduled to deliver the keynote presentation.

The panel discussion includes Raisul Kabir, co-founder and CEO of Brain Station 23; Shuvo Rahman, founder and CEO of Revora; Tasfia Tasbin, CEO of Markopolo AI; and Fahim Ahmed, managing director and CEO of Pathao.

A B M Abdus Sattar, principal secretary to the Prime Minister, is scheduled to address the session as chief guest.

The second session, titled ‘Industry & Academia Linkage: AI-fication towards Business Innovation’, will explore practical ways to strengthen cooperation between industries and academic institutions. Its focus includes AI-driven business innovation, learning, commercialisation, technology transfer and the development of industry-oriented skills in Bangladesh.

The session will be moderated by Rizwan Rahman, former president of DCCI. Panellists include Md Rahinur Rahman, BUET student and founder and CEO of NEVOLYN; Tausiful Islam, IUT student and founder and CEO of ANTS; Professor Dr Muhammad Firoz Mridha, head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at AIUB; Simeen Rahman, group CEO of Transcom Limited; Syed Nasim Manzur, president of FLAXA; Dr Md Abdur Razzaque, professor and chairman of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Dhaka; and Dr Syed Muntasir Mamun, director general for International Trade, Investment, Technology and ICT at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The session will also feature remarks from Professor Dr Abdullah-Al-Mamun, member of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh; Md Anwar Hossain, secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology; and Mahdi Amin, adviser to the Prime Minister and spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office, who is scheduled to attend as chief guest.

The third session, scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm, is titled ‘AI for Everyone: Solving Real Problems with Local Intelligence’. It will examine the emerging role of AI agents as digital colleagues capable of handling business tasks such as processing orders, coordinating transactions and identifying industry-specific problems and solutions. The discussion will also address the importance of appropriate human oversight.

Firoze Muhammad Zahidur Rahman, founder and CEO of Loosely Coupled Technologies, is scheduled to deliver the keynote presentation. Panellists include Rawnak Jahan, director of the Women and Youth Programme at CARE Bangladesh; Tausif Ishtiaque, managing director and partner at Boston Consulting Group; Dr Md Sabur Khan, founder and chairman of the Board of Trustees of Daffodil International University and former DCCI president; and Hossain Khaled, group managing director of Anwar Group of Industries and former DCCI president.

Shama Obaed Islam, state minister for foreign affairs, is scheduled to attend the third session as chief guest. Md Anwar Hossain, secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, will deliver the summit’s concluding remarks.

//DBTech/IH/SMP/MVNO//