This Act is to utilize the benefits of AI removing the difficulties: Law Minister
AI Act is to increase the range of automated services by addressing risks: Palak
Jashore Sheikh Hasina Software Technology Park has become dilapidated within 7 months of its establishment. Such a misleading image has been created by AI has gone viral recently. The government wants to take proactive measures to deal with such risks like hoax photos, deepfake videos and voice cloning. Based on that formula, the government wants to ensure national security by using AI tools in automated services in various fields such as ‘Constitution GPT’ under the initiative of the ICT Division.
To that end, this was informed in the dialogue program in the presence of multilateral stakeholders for the formulation of ‘Artificial Intelligence Act 2024’ at the conference center of BTRC building in Agargaon on Thursday. BTRC Director General Khalilur Rahman suggested the formulation of ‘AI Act’ based on ethics, culture, religious and national values in the participants’ meeting. AI, he says, is ‘terrifyingly beautiful’ to me. Therefore, AI legislation needs to be made keeping moral, religious, cultural and national values in mind.
Yusup Farooq, Managing Director of Microsoft Bangladesh said, AI act should be made considering the limitations of our industry. Responsible AI is imperative in global considerations. There should be room for fundamental general use. This AI Act should be made by confirming the fact that there are 6 principals of the world. AI needs to be included from class VIII onwards.
TRNB President Rashed Mehdi said, AI is a composite matter. So, this law needs to include online as well as offline issue. Most deepfakes are made at the corporate level. In this case, he asked who would be responsible, the coder or the instruction provider. Therefore, before making the law, the use cases and crimes should be identified first, and this media worker added that it should not be applied.
BASIS president Russell T Ahmed said that the philosophy is important before making the law. AI now creates an entire software. AI can do 30 days’ work of 10 software in 3 days. This is our concern. One has to wonder how far we have come with the AI advancement race. Therefore, it is necessary to develop awareness about the danger or the possibility. Things should be clarified to common people. All over the world, it is thought to control AI; it is still a concern, whether to disclose the child carrying a pregnant mother is a boy or a girl.
Former Director General of BTRC, Md. Rakibul Hasan called for government allowances for those who lost their jobs due to emerge of AI. He said, ‘When someone loses his job due to AI, the government should provide him with allowance until he gets another job. Bad actors are also active when data is leaked. Therefore, more importance should be given to data protection. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the new AI act does not conflict with the existing law.
e-CAB General Secretary Nasima Akhtar said that the students are doing the artificial intelligence system. So, we have to accept it. At the same time there should be advance measures taking its risks into account.
BRAC University teacher Simon Reza said the new AI act needs to be aligned with the upcoming OTT law. Coordination is essential in education.
University Grant Commission Member Sultan Ahmed Bhuiyan said that the ethical issue of AI is the most important. We wish there could be a discussion on this in the UGC.
a2i policy advisor Anir Chowdhury said, while doing over regulation, we should not miss the opportunity of AI. It is not under the government of any country. It’s in the hands of Big Tech. So, we have to increase our partnership with them.
As many as 26 public and private officials, academicians, business leaders presented their views on the AI Act in the meeting.
State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak presided over the meeting while the law minister Anisul Haque was present as the Chief Guest. ICT Division Secretary Shamsul Arefin, Law and Justice Ministry Secretary Golam Sarwar and BTRC Chairman Engineer Mohiuddin Ahmed were present as special guests.
While delivering his welcome address, Zunaid Ahmed Palak said that ‘Artificial Intelligence Act is being framed to innovate AI, discipline and control cybercrime’. He said, we want to prevent the misuse of AI. Looking to automate service range with AI through ethical practices. For that we have already created a Constitution GPT a few days ago using AI.
While addressing as Chief guest, Anisul Haque said, ‘This law has to be made to remove the difficulties and utilizing the advantages. Artificial intelligence is highly needed to build a smart generation in building a smart Bangladesh in 2041. We will finalize this draft with the participants.
BTRC Chairman Engineer Mohiuddin Ahmed called for keeping the opportunity in the draft law, so that the law can be changed quickly if necessary. He said, every technology has good and bad side. So, we have to acquire the ability to accept the good and face the bad.
EDGE project director of Bangladesh Computer Council Abdul Bari said that, the draft of this law was prepared within two months. During this time, he shed light on AI rules and laws in the country and abroad. He said that the EU AI law was passed in March of this year. Meanwhile, Brazil and South Africa too have finished formulating their laws in this regard. AI Act may be passed in India in June-July. In the laws of Bangladesh, we are dealing with digital data, deep fake, biometric, ethnic groups etc. in the light of the constitution. I have also emphasized ensuring the safety and security of citizens in the law.