Bangladesh plans to use AI to protect and benefit people’s rights. So, government wants to gain experience by observing the dynamics of AI. Therefore, Law Minister Anisul Haque said that no law on AI will be made at this point of time. He said, we are taking this time to check the use of this law in other countries. I believe that only after that we will be able to make the law in due time. The AI Act will be drafted by September.
On the other hand, the State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak said that in order to build a developed and prosperous smart Bangladesh in 2041 and smart citizens, smart social system, smart economy and smart government system, nothing can be done bypassing artificial intelligence or AI. So now our challenge or discussion is how much we encourage innovation and how much we control misuse.
The two ministers expressed their views at the end of a consultation and exchange meeting regarding artificial intelligence (AI) legislation in the Ministry of Law at the Secretariat on Thursday, March 21 in the afternoon. Marriage and Divorce Management System (Bandhan) was also discussed. Law Secretary Md Golam Sarwar and ICT Secretary Md Samshul Arefin were present in the meeting.
When asked about the discussion of the meeting, Law Minister Anisul Haque told reporters, “We think that a law is being considered in Bangladesh as it is being considered all over the world regarding the way artificial intelligence or AI is changing the world. That’s what we sat down to think about today. Today we made an outline of the law. This issue will not end in such a comprehensive one-day discussion. We have discussed the things that should be included in this law, the things that should be protected from the point of view of humanity. That discussion has started and the discussion will continue”.
When asked what is in the outline, the law minister said, we do not want to say that at the moment. Because it is also variable. To observe the matter and gain experience, I have taken this time to check a little what the law is doing in other parts of the world. I believe we can make this law within this period.
When asked what will happen as a result of this law, Anisul Haque said, it should be asked by us too. This is because of how much control we have. This is what I can say – we will try to protect the rights of people, to protect them in all cases, to use AI for the benefit of people.
Then the State Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak said that a very timely decision has been taken by the Law Minister. Last February he gave me guidance on what we think about artificial intelligence and how ready we are to legislate it. After receiving his instructions, we discussed with the information technology advisor and after discussing with those who have studied artificial intelligence, we came to the conclusion that if we want to make smart Bangladesh, smart governance, smart economy by 2041, we cannot do anything bypassing artificial intelligence.
He said, now there is a big challenge and a big debate, how much we will encourage innovation and how much we will control misuse. Today we came to the Law Minister regarding this matter. The Law Minister also said that we have prepared an outline. How fast is the change of artificial intelligence in the coming days, how much can we use it to bring prosperity to our economy; to create jobs. It can be used to increase export earnings to attract foreign investment that will encourage innovation, opening up new opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Zunaid Ahmed Palak said, at the same time, the dire consequences of artificial intelligence are feared in the present world which various researchers and inventors are saying, the law minister has given us instructions. On the one hand, to support entrepreneurs and prevent its misuse. We will frame the law keeping in mind that there is no misuse of our people, national security and global security. We have asked for a time for that. The Law Minister has given us enough time.
The Minister of State said, I have seen the laws of the European Union in this regard, as well as the executive order of the United States, and I am studying the policies, guidelines and laws of countries including South Korea which have made various policies, guidelines and laws since last year 2017.
Besides, I will come back to the minister with the opinion of the talented boys and girls of Bangladesh who have studied and know and understand and consult with the stake holders. After that, the state minister said that he will discuss the matter with the media workers as participants.