Experts emphasized the importance of Bangladesh leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for economic growth, while also highlighting the need for responsible AI practices to safeguard women’s safety, privacy, and human creativity. The discussions took place during an event titled “Responsible AI for Bangladesh: Policy and Design Challenges” at the Anwarul Azim Chowdhury Lecture Gallery, Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka.
Sharifa Sultana, an assistant professor at the Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, underscored the significance of approaching Bangladesh’s AI future with responsible strategies. She stressed the necessity for a collaborative effort among researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders to develop a structured approach aligned with national objectives and cultural values.
Sultana outlined the fundamental principles of responsible AI, including fairness, transparency, security, and accountability, as essential for establishing reliable and equitable AI systems. She also drew attention to pressing concerns such as data privacy risks from prevalent AI models, the potential erosion of critical thinking due to excessive reliance on AI, and the societal implications of technologies like deepfakes and surveillance.
Zulkarin Jahangir, an assistant professor at North South University and a member of UNESCO AI Experts Without Borders, cautioned against misconceptions regarding AI’s role in governance and decision-making in Bangladesh. He referenced UNESCO’s AI Readiness Assessment Map (RAM) study, which revealed the challenges arising from the gap between ambition and institutional capacity, fragmented governance structures, and the lack of coherent policies to manage AI systems effectively.
Jahangir emphasized that addressing the institutional shortcomings is crucial for successful AI integration, highlighting the importance of policies, data governance, and infrastructure standardization across various sectors. He underlined the need for universities to focus not only on technical aspects but also on the social implications of AI, including issues of bias, job displacement, data ownership, and the equitable distribution of automation benefits.
In the context of industry, the RAM study identified opportunities and vulnerabilities in AI-related sectors in Bangladesh, emphasizing the significance of establishing standards, safeguards, and workforce protections to ensure sustainable growth. Jahangir warned that rapid progress without building trust could lead to informal practices rather than creating substantial value.
Regarding policymaking, Jahangir stressed the necessity of a holistic approach to AI governance, emphasizing the importance of coordinated actions, investments in data infrastructure, and mechanisms for public accountability. He remarked that AI policy should be viewed as a social agreement rather than merely a technological roadmap.
The event also featured insights from Ishtiaque Ahmed, an associate professor at the Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, and Rashed Mujib Noman, the country director of Augmedix Bangladesh.