[🇧🇩] Artificial Intelligence-----It's challenges and Prospects in Bangladesh

[Saif]

Source : https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/govt-drafts-ai-policy-tap-its-potential-tackle-concerns-3653106

Govt drafts AI policy to tap its potential, tackle concerns

The government has formulated the draft National AI policy as it looks to make the best use of artificial intelligence to raise productivity and spur economic growth while dealing with the concerns presented by the technology spreading at a breakneck pace.

"This policy seeks to harness the benefits of AI while mitigating its risks, fostering innovation, and ensuring that AI technologies serve the best interests of the citizens and the nation as a whole," the draft said.

The Information and Communication Technology Division prepared the National AI Policy and published it recently.

The policy is expected to address the legal, ethical, and societal implications of AI effectively and efficiently.

It has placed a significant emphasis on public awareness and education, enlightening citizens about AI and its far-reaching benefits.

The objectives of the policy are to accelerate equitable economic growth and productivity through AI-driven optimisation, forecasting, and data-driven decision-making, and ensure efficiency and accessibility of public services through AI-enabled personalisation.

The draft comes as countries around the world race to prepare to deal with the changes being brought about by the fast-evolving technology.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has published its new AI Preparedness Index Dashboard for 174 economies, based on their readiness in four areas: digital infrastructure, human capital and labour market policies, innovation and economic integration, and regulation.

It showed Bangladesh's score stands at 0.38 compared to 0.49 of India, 0.37 of Pakistan, 0.35 of Nepal, 0.44 of Sri Lanka, 0.77 of the US, 0.64 of China, and 0.73 of Australia. Developed countries have a score of at least 0.7.

In Bangladesh, the government plans to adopt data-driven policy-making in every sector through AI-supported analytics and insights and nurture a skilled workforce that can utilise and build AI technologies.

It wants to embed AI in education and skills development so that the largely young population can meet the demands of the future.

The draft said the country will also foster a culture of AI research and innovation through public and private funding. It will ensure development and adhere to a robust ethical framework by establishing regulatory measures that uphold human rights in AI development and deployment.

The ICT Division, in collaboration with relevant ministries, industry, academia, and civil society, will take necessary steps to establish the institutional framework for the policy implementation, officials said.

It will set up an independent National Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence (NAICE).

The NAICE will be responsible for coordination and monitoring of AI initiatives using key performance indicators and evaluation of AI initiatives' social, economic, and environmental impacts, guiding adjustments for maximum benefits and risk mitigation.

It will facilitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders, including government agencies, industry, academia, and civil society. It will ensure that any measures taken to regulate the technology are proportional to the risk and balanced to encourage innovation.

The government will form a high-level national AI advisory council to guide the implementation of sectoral AI initiatives.

The draft said the legal and regulatory frameworks are necessary for AI policy implementation.

The National Strategy for AI will be framed, and it will be updated every two years in accordance with the advancement of AI worldwide.

The strategy will include data retention policies, deal with the legal issues of data governance and ownership and focus on interoperability and data exchange.

According to IMF's economist Giovanni Melina, AI can increase productivity, boost economic growth, and lift incomes. However, it could also wipe out millions of jobs and widen inequality.

IMF's research has shown how AI is poised to reshape the global economy. It could endanger 33 percent of jobs in advanced economies, 24 percent in emerging economies, and 18 percent in low-income countries.

But, on the brighter side, it also brings enormous potential to enhance the productivity of existing jobs for which AI can be a complementary tool and to create new jobs and even new industries.

Melina said most emerging market economies and low-income countries have smaller shares of high-skilled jobs than advanced economies, and so will likely be less affected and face fewer immediate disruptions from AI.

"At the same time, many of these countries lack the infrastructure or skilled workforces needed to harness AI's benefits, which could worsen inequality among nations."

The economist said the policy priority for emerging markets and developing economies should be to lay a strong foundation by investing in digital infrastructure and digital training for workers.​

 

[Saif]

Vision for an AI law in Bangladesh

To position Bangladesh as a leader in AI innovation, substantial investments in AI research and development (R&D) are crucial.

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Vision for an AI law in Bangladesh

VISUAL: STAR

We may not notice it at first glance, but the world is going through a technological renaissance in the form of Artificial Intelligence. In the bustling heart of South Asia, Bangladesh also stands on the cusp of this technological renaissance. As artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries worldwide, the nation is facing an urgent call to draft forward-thinking AI policy guidelines. Imagine a future where Dhaka's traffic is managed by smart systems, farmers use AI to boost crop yields, and healthcare is revolutionised by predictive analytics. In the current situation, this thought might be farfetched, but this promising horizon can come sooner rather than later if Bangladesh can establish a policy guideline that can navigate its set of challenges and responsibilities. Bangladesh must utilise the AI wave with a blend of ambition and caution, ensuring that innovation does not eclipse ethics and inclusivity.

Crafting Bangladesh's AI policy is a bit like preparing the perfect biriyani: it requires just the right mix of ingredients to create something truly remarkable. The focus should be on blending robust international cooperation to ensure trustworthy AI, with a generous helping of digital infrastructure to provide the computing power needed for innovation. Stir in public awareness and civic engagement to keep society informed and involved, sprinkle generously with investments in public research capabilities, and don't forget to season with education and skill development to prepare the workforce for future challenges. Finally, top it off with initiatives to boost connectivity and digitalisation, and a strategic vision aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) to ensure sustainable growth. When these elements come together, Bangladesh can set up a tech policy that's not only cutting-edge, but also inclusive and forward-thinking. So, what elements should be on the radar of policymakers when crafting this pivotal piece of legislation?

First of all, AI's transformative potential can only be fully realised if there's a skilled workforce to harness it. Thus, the AI Act must prioritise comprehensive education and training programmes. Integrating AI into school curriculum, establishing vocational training programmes, and offering scholarships for AI-related fields are essential steps. This not only prepares the next generation for AI-driven jobs but also ensures that the current workforce is not left behind.

To position Bangladesh as a leader in AI innovation, substantial investments in AI research and development (R&D) are crucial. This involves funding interdisciplinary research collaborations between universities, research institutions, and private industries. The goal should be to advance AI capabilities in key sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing. Think about AI research centres and innovation hubs sprouting across the country, nurturing a vibrant ecosystem of startups and entrepreneurs. We need to build a digital infrastructure. For example, we can talk about the recent policy on AI that was adopted by Vietnam. Within 2030, they want to build an "AI ecosystem." It means a fluid incorporation of AI in the commercial and research sectors. This ecosystem may include various components that work together to foster innovation, ensure ethical standards, and drive the economic and societal benefits in the country. Most importantly, to foster AI innovation in Vietnam, the government is taking a comprehensive strategy focusing on human resource development, organisational construction, research and development, and investment in AI enterprises. This includes deploying basic AI and data science skills through short and medium-term training courses for students and career-changing workers, attracting both domestic and foreign resources to build training centres, and establishing key research hubs at leading universities. Ultimately, the Vietnamese government wants to promote and attract investment capital for the growth of AI enterprises and brands in Vietnam.

Similarly, for AI to flourish, Bangladesh needs to prioritise investment in high-speed internet connectivity, cloud computing services, and data centres. This infrastructure will provide the necessary computing power and data storage capabilities for AI applications across various sectors. Building this infrastructure is another difficult but manageable task with the right collaborative efforts. If the government can encourage collaborations between itself, the private sector, and academia then Bangladesh can create a fertile ground for AI advancements tailored to local needs. And not only through local collaboration, but Bangladesh should also establish partnerships with other countries, international organisations, and tech companies to develop shared principles and standards for trustworthy AI. This can also position the country as a trustworthy player in the global AI landscape, attracting international investments and collaborations.

We have to remember that, in the current AI-driven world, data is the new oil. However, with great data comes great responsibility. Ensuring a robust data security infrastructure is paramount. The AI Act should mandate the use of cutting-edge encryption technologies, continuous monitoring systems, and regular security audits to protect sensitive information from cyber threats. This is not just about safeguarding individual privacy but also about building trust in AI systems. A data breach in a healthcare system powered by AI could have catastrophic consequences, undermining public confidence. Therefore, a comprehensive focus on data security is non-negotiable.

Another thing to note is that AI is a double-edged sword. While it has the potential to drive unprecedented progress, it also poses significant ethical challenges. The AI Act should establish clear guidelines for ethical AI deployment, ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness. It is very easy to misuse AI and promote misinformation or biases. Nowadays, AI can create realistic but fake images, videos, and audio (deepfakes), which can be used to spread misinformation, manipulate public opinion, or damage reputations. It also increases fraud and scams because there are no established guidelines to use of AI systems. AI can perpetuate and amplify biases present in their training data, leading to discriminatory practices in hiring, lending, law enforcement, and more. So, establishing data protection laws to safeguard personal information and fostering transparency in AI decision-making processes are critical steps toward ethical AI.

All in all, crafting an AI Act for Bangladesh goes beyond technicalities, it centres on people and public engagement. Essential initiatives include public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on AI's benefits and risks, and involving diverse stakeholders—civil society, academia, and industry—in policymaking to ensure transparency and accountability. The Act should also align with Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) principles which emphasises innovation, digitalisation, and interconnectedness. By balancing innovation with regulation and addressing local needs while adhering to global standards, Bangladesh can harness AI's transformative power for an inclusive, ethical, and sustainable digital future.

This is Part II of a two-part series. The first part was published in Page 9 of The Daily Star on June 23, 2024.

Warda Ruheen Bristi and Shafin Haque Omlan are research associates at Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management (BIGM).​

 

[Saif]

Why we need an AI law in Bangladesh

We need to strike a balance between fostering innovation and safeguarding fundamental rights.

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Why we need an AI law in Bangladesh

Visual: Star

On March 13, 2024, the European Union (EU) passed the world's first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act. In an era defined by rapid technological advancement, the rise of AI presents both unprecedented opportunities and complex challenges for nations worldwide, and the EU has become the first entity to formally address those. In Bangladesh, a country in the midst of a rapid technological evolution, the emergence of AI stands as a pivotal moment with far-reaching implications. As the nation seeks to harness the potential of AI for societal advancement and economic growth, the importance of establishing a robust legal framework to govern AI-related issues cannot be overstated.

First, let's talk about the potential of AI. In short, it is vast and varied, touching virtually every aspect of human life. AI has the capability to automate repetitive tasks across various industries, freeing up human workers to focus on more creative and strategic endeavours. In healthcare, AI can assist in diagnosing diseases, analysing medical images, and personalising treatment plans, leading to more accurate and efficient healthcare delivery. Similarly, AI has the potential to revolutionise education through personalised learning experiences, adaptive tutoring systems, and virtual classroom assistants. In transportation, AI-powered autonomous vehicles can enhance road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and improve transportation efficiency. The financial sector can benefit from AI algorithms used for fraud detection, risk assessment, portfolio management, and customer service. Additionally, AI can contribute to environmental conservation efforts by analysing large datasets to monitor and predict environmental changes, optimise resource management, and develop sustainable solutions. In the realm of entertainment, AI-generated content such as music, art and literature can inspire creativity and offer new forms of entertainment.

Already, multiple countries have approved or are on their way to approving regulations regarding AI. The EU's AI Act is helping them focus on establishing a common cybersecurity framework across the bloc, enhancing security certifications for ICT products, and strengthening the role of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity. The EU has also drafted a Cybersecurity Act. India has passed the Digital India Act, 2023, which aims to update and modernise India's digital governance framework. It addresses cybersecurity, data privacy, and ethical AI use. Vietnam also has approved a national digital transformation plan, which aims at promoting a digital transition in governance, the economy, and society more broadly, as well as establishing Vietnamese technology firms as global players. Under this plan, several goals are laid out to be achieved by 2025. They have also developed a national strategy for research, development and application of AI by 2030. This strategy outlines a number of key goals and directives for developing AI technology in Vietnam. It's clear that Vietnam is committed to a digital transition and cannot ignore the role that artificial intelligence will play to that end.

Similarly, our aspirations for a Digital Bangladesh hinges on our ability to navigate the complexities of AI responsibly. When talking about establishing a regulatory framework for Bangladesh, the heart of the discussion lies within the imperative to strike a balance between fostering innovation and safeguarding fundamental rights. A balanced regulatory framework is essential not only for spurring innovation and attracting investment, but also for safeguarding against potential risks associated with AI.
Aside from the potential of AI, there are concerning reasons too for which an AI law is necessary. AI poses several risks to personal and organisational safety, hence it must be carefully managed to ensure responsible and ethical use of the technology. For individuals, AI can compromise privacy if systems improperly collect, store, or use personal data without consent or appropriate safeguards. This can lead to identity theft, unauthorised surveillance, and exploitation of personal information. We are already seeing lots of examples of deepfake videos where the faces of famous personalities are used in spreading rumours or damaging their reputation. If AI is not regulated quickly, these incidents may soon get out of hand, and for a country like Bangladesh, where people are somewhat susceptible to rumours, they might spread like wildfire. AI systems may also perpetuate bias or discrimination if not properly designed and vetted, impacting individuals unfairly in areas such as hiring, lending or legal judgments.

Moreover, in order to shed light on Bangladesh's aspiration to become a digital powerhouse and a hub for innovation, the enactment of an AI law is instrumental in enhancing the country's competitiveness and global standing. By aligning with international best practices and standards, the country can foster international collaboration, attract foreign investment, and strengthen its position in the global AI landscape. The timely development of an AI act will present an opportunity for Bangladesh to showcase its commitment to ethical AI governance and responsible innovation to the rest of the world. By engaging with stakeholders across the government, industry, academia, and civil society, policymakers can leverage diverse perspectives to develop inclusive and forward-thinking AI policies that reflect the country's values and priorities.

Seizing the momentum of the current trend and developing a legal framework for AI-related issues is crucial for Bangladesh's continued progress in the digital age. Aligning with international best practices and standards is essential to enhance the country's competitiveness and credibility in the global AI landscape. By demonstrating a commitment to ethical AI governance, Bangladesh can attract foreign investment, foster international collaboration, and strengthen its position as a leader in responsible AI development.

This article is Part I of a two-part series.

Warda Ruheen Bristi and Shafin Haque Omlan are research associates at Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management (BIGM).​

 

[Saif]

We need to act on AI now, not have an act for it

There is a good reason why the government has decided to use AI as the fulcrum to realise the goal of Smart Bangladesh.

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We need to act on AI now, not have an act for it

Visual: Shaikh Sultana Jahan Badhon
When Bangladesh embarked on its journey towards Digital Bangladesh in 2009, many were sceptical about it. But as time progressed, we all saw how the vision started to become a reality.

This vision, at its core, aspires to create a nation that is adept at solving problems at all spheres of life through innovative application of digital technologies. The government has made it abundantly clear that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is going to play a pivotal role in implementing the Smart Bangladesh vision. Following this vision, the government has recently unveiled a draft National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2024 for public consultation.

There is a good reason why the government has decided to use AI as the fulcrum to realise the goal of Smart Bangladesh. Unlike other digital technologies, the potential of application of AI is literally all around us. Starting from our personal lives, to modernising public service delivery, the scope for AI is limitless.

Be it public transport or AI-driven personal vehicles, personal healthcare solutions or the public healthcare system, from individual human resource productivity or national competitiveness in productivity levels, every imaginable aspect of our individual, societal, as well as national issues can have a transformative impact if we can smartly apply AI to solve our problems.

But the question is this: how do we facilitate AI to deliver the dividends for us? If we look around, we can see that every country in the world is trying to strike a balance between innovation and regulatory oversight. There is palpable consensus on adopting more of a business-friendly approach to AI regulation, by avoiding excessive restrictions.

The government has been trying to create a pathway for AI in Bangladesh by preparing the National Strategy for AI in 2020, followed by the recent release of the draft AI Policy in 2024. Having read the draft policy on AI, I felt that it provides an excellent template to foment the use of AI in every sector. The institutional framework outlined in the policy to pursue AI projects is well thought through. On top of that, the sectoral plans for application of AI provides an excellent starting point.

But what puzzles me is the stated desire of the government to introduce an Act for AI. When we are supposed to allow as much room as possible for our AI practitioners to fully demonstrate their talent, we are planning to limit what they can and can't do along with defined punitive measures through the AI Act. I am certain that this is not how you invite people into the fold of new technology.

As of now, the European Union (EU) is the only entity to have enacted an AI Act. At the heart of the Act, it is mandatory to ensure that AI platforms are monitored or overseen by human beings, not another AI platform. It's worth noting that many AI experts have termed this as a knee-jerk reaction as they consider a law on AI to be too premature at this stage.

The US does not have a federal law covering AI, nor is there any universal definition for AI. It is currently governed by a mix of decentralised existing federal and state legislations, industry itself and the courts. Through an executive order last year, every US government agency was tasked to set up working groups to evaluate AI, develop regulations and establish public-private engagement.

In United Kingdom (UK), the government has unveiled its response to AI Regulation White Paper consultation in February 2024. They don't have any plans to codify that into law for now. It advocates a context-sensitive, balanced approach, using existing sector-specific laws for AI guidance.

In India, the upcoming Digital India Act is set to focus on the regulation of high-risk AI applications. No plan to enact separate legislation is afoot. Singapore also doesn't have any AI legislation; they have a sector specific approach to overall governance and regulation. Japan also has a relatively hands-off approach and has been encouraging AI development and application across various sectors.

The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has issued a guide to AI governance and ethics in February 2024. The national-level recommendations include nurturing AI talent, upskilling workforces and investing in AI research and development. Australia also doesn't have any AI legislation; the government there is approaching it with a voluntary ethics framework.

It's worth noting that the core purpose of having a law is to create a framework for dos and don'ts in a particular area with the option to resort to the legal system to settle disputes or punish offenders of the law. The question here is, how do we know what is doable and what is not, when we don't have any prior experience with AI in Bangladesh.

Even if we consider enacting a law, we need to ascertain areas where government regulation is needed, in light of the global best practices. AI law or policy considerations should include the use and processing of personal data, privacy, infringement, surveillance, algorithm bias in customer interactions, data sovereignty, monitoring AI based platforms, cybersecurity, and social norms and values etc. Most importantly, we need to focus on the fundamental ethical aspects of AI, which are more universally agreed upon compared to specific AI regulations.

We must realise innovation involves a very messy and unstructured process. The key to innovation is to have a creative mindset that can go beyond conventional thinking to come up with the simplest of solutions to complex problems. Putting barriers on this through an AI Act is the last thing we need at this moment.

If we want to meet the export earnings target of $5 billion from the ICT sector, we need to facilitate our developers to catch up with the rapid pace of AI development globally, instead of scaring them off with an act that comes with punitive measures. More AI regulation risks stifling new start-ups who lack the resources of the globally dominant platforms. We need to focus on creating a large pool of highly skilled human resources in AI. The draft AI policy provides a baseline to embark on this AI journey.

Shahed Alam is a barrister and telecom expert.​

 

[Saif]

Why AI tech needs to be democratised

To ensure that people profit from AI and other digital technologies and are protected from their misuse, we must discover responsible methods to use them.

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Why AI tech needs to be democratised

We must take seriously the legitimate concerns about AI that have been raised. FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

With the introduction of "large language models" (LLMs) in our day-to-day lives, artificial intelligence (AI) systems have experienced a sharp surge in popularity. It is already apparent that the usage of AI systems will drastically impact our professional lives, private lives, and – perhaps most crucially – how we structure and govern our societies. This isn't because algorithms are inherently more innovative than people; instead, they provide economic stability and efficiency in completing many simple and complex tasks at a level that many humans cannot match.

The introduction of AI systems in public administration and the judicial system, as well as their use concerning the provision of certain essential services by private actors, raises serious concerns about how to safeguard the sustained protection of human rights and democracy and respect for the rule of law, if AI systems assist or even replace human decision-makers. This contrasts with the general public debate, which focuses on the AI technology's economic benefits and drawbacks. The very foundations of liberal democracy, such as elections, the freedom to assemble and establish associations, and the right to have opinions and to receive or disseminate information, may all be severely impacted by their use.

Recent calls for a ban on AI technology have come from influential voices in the public discourse who believe that the risks it brings exceed its benefits. Though we must acknowledge that the genie is out of the bottle and that there is no practical way to turn back the scientific and technological advancements that have made it possible to develop sophisticated and potent AI systems, we must also take seriously the legitimate concerns about AI that have been raised.

The Council of Europe (CoE), the oldest intergovernmental regional organisation, with 46 member-states and perhaps best known globally for its European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), started groundbreaking research on the viability and necessity of an international treaty on AI based on its own and other pertinent international legal norms in the fields of democratic values, human rights advocacy, and the rule of law commitments in 2019. The Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI), formed for the period of 2022-2024, is tasked with developing an AI framework convention that will outline legally binding standards, guidelines, rights, and obligations regarding the creation, development, application, and decommissioning of AI systems from the perspectives of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

It will take a coordinated effort from like-minded states and assistance from civil society, the tech sector, and academics to complete this enormous undertaking. Our hope and ambition is that the Council of Europe's AI framework convention will provide much-needed legal clarity and guarantees of the protection of fundamental rights.

But a genuine setup of standards for the human rights and democratic features of AI systems cannot be restricted to a particular region, because AI technology knows no borders. As a result, the CoE's Committee of Ministers decided to permit interested non-European states that share its goals and ideals to participate in the negotiations, and an increasing number of these states have already signed on or are actively working to join the efforts.

The European Union (EU), which regulates AI systems for its 27 member-states, is also directly involved in the CoE negotiations. The AI Act of the EU and the CoE's framework convention are designed to complement one another when they go into effect, showing how to effectively utilise the joint capabilities and skills of the two European entities. The draft framework convention is aimed at ensuring that the use of AI technology does not result in a legal vacuum regarding the protection of human rights, the operation of democracy and democratic processes, or the observance of the rule of law (a consolidated "working draft" is publicly available at the CoE website for the CAI).

To this end, parties must obligate regulators, developers, providers, and other AI players to consider dangers to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law from the moment these systems are conceived and throughout their existence. In addition, the legal system that victims of human rights breaches have access to should be modified in light of the unique difficulties that AI technologies present, such as their transparency and rationalisation.

The treaty will also specifically address the potential risks to democracy and democratic processes posed by AI technology. This includes the use of the so-called "deep fakes," microtargeting, or more overt violations of the freedoms of expression, association, opinion formation, and the ability to obtain and disseminate information. The framework convention will include enforceable duties for its parties to offer such practices with adequate protection. When developing and employing AI systems that may be used in sensitive contexts, including but not limited to the drafting of laws, public administration, and last but not least, the administration of justice through the courts of law, it is evident that the fundamental idea of what constitutes a just and liberal, law-abiding society must be respected. The framework convention will also specify the parties' precise obligations in this area.

The draft framework convention, as well as all of CAI's work, prioritises human dignity and agency by taking a Harmonised Risk-Driven Approach (HRDA) to design, develop, use and decommission AI systems. It's crucial to carefully analyse any potential adverse effects of deploying AI systems in diverse circumstances before getting carried away by the apparent possibilities given by this technology. Therefore, parties are also required by the proposed framework convention to spread knowledge about AI technology and to encourage an informed public discussion about its proper application.

To ensure that as many people as possible profit from AI and other digital technologies and are protected from their misuse, the realistic approach must be to discover responsible methods to use them. It will take a coordinated effort from like-minded states and assistance from civil society, the tech sector, and academics to complete this enormous undertaking. Our hope and ambition is that the Council of Europe's AI framework convention will provide much-needed legal clarity and guarantees of the protection of fundamental rights.

Dr Nafees Ahmad is associate professor at the Faculty of Legal Studies in South Asian University, New Delhi.​

 

[Saif]

Artificial intelligence is still far from being ‘intelligent’

Why does Big Tech want an immediate 6-month pause on any further development?

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Artificial intelligence is still far from being 'intelligent'
Why does Big Tech want an immediate six-month pause on any further development?

An image of a robot taking a picture, generated by AI software Midjourney. SOURCE: REUTERS

Is artificial intelligence (AI) really "intelligent" in its creativity and decision-making? Or is it stealing others' works and perpetuating existing human biases?

This January, three artists filed a class-action lawsuit with the Northern California District Court against AI imagery generators – Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and DreamUp. They claimed these companies are using their artwork to generate newer ones – using a publicly available database of images including theirs called LAION-5B – though the artists had not consented to have their copyrighted artworks to be included in the database, were not compensated for the use of their works, and their influence was not credited when AI images were produced using said works.

AI is literally scraping through billions of existing works produced by raw human labour to "produce newer ones." That's why several experts are already asking whether AI is at all "artificial" or "intelligent."

Tech writer Evgeny Morozov has argued that while the early AI systems were mostly rules and programmes, and could have some "artificiality," today's AI models draw their strength entirely from the works of actual humans. Built on vast amounts of human work stored at mammoth energy-hungry data centres, AI is not "intelligent" in the way human intelligence is as it cannot discern things without extensive human training, as Microsoft's Kate Crawford has pointed out.

Even in decision making, AI-models can have strong biases as a 2019 article published in Nature has confirmed. An algorithm common in US hospitals has been systematically discriminating against black people. The study found that hospitals traditionally assign them lower risk scores than white people. Automatically, the algorithm takes that as a cue and puts blacks in a lesser risk group, regardless of the prevailing medical conditions. In another case, a painting bot returned the image of a salmon steak in water when asked to draw a swimming salmon. The AI model couldn't make this simple judgement that even a toddler could do.

However, despite not being anywhere near "intelligent," recent developments, especially the release of ChatGPT in November last year, have raised dramatic concerns about the effects of AI on human society. Renowned tech experts have published an open letter calling for an immediate pause on all AI development for six months. Its signatories include many big names and AI heavyweights, including Elon Musk from Tesla, Emad Mostaque from Stability AI, Sam Altman from OpenAI, Demis Hassabis from Google's DeepMind, and Kevin Scott from Microsoft. Altman even advised the US government to issue licenses to trusted companies (Does this mean only Big Techs?) to train AI models.

Is this call for an immediate pause coming from genuine concern for human well-being? Or is there a commercial motive, as Michael Bennett, a PhD student at Australian National University (ANU) has pointed out? Potentially, AI can generate an enormous amount of wealth for whoever controls it. Let's try to understand the premise of the call.

ChatGPT isn't a research breakthrough, it's a product based on open research work that is already a few years old. The only difference is that the technology was not widely available through a convenient interface. Smaller entrepreneurs will soon develop better and more efficient AI-based models at much lesser costs, some of which is already available at GitHub, a popular repository for open-source non-commercial software. That worries the Big Techs, made abundantly clear by a leaked Google internal memo.

The long memo from a Google researcher said, "People will not pay for a restricted model when free, unrestricted alternatives are comparable in quality…We Have No Moat." Licenses would be a "kinda moat," as Stability AI's CEO Emad Mostaque puts it bluntly, moat being jargon for a way to secure a business against competitors.

AI Now Institute, a research non-profit that addresses the concentration of power in the tech industry, highlights the perils of unregulated AI in its April 2023 report because the AI boom will make the powerful Big Techs even more powerful. AI models depend on vast amounts of data, and super-fast computing power to process it, both of which only Big Techs can afford. Without access to these resources, no entrepreneur or researcher can develop any meaningful AI application, as an MIT Technical Review article elaborates.

Yes, we need regulations for AI development, and a pause if necessary, but not for the reasons mentioned in the open letter. It's to ensure that AI technology remains open source and democratic.

The other reason AI should be regulated is the way social media platforms have used it to fuel gender bias and extreme polarisation, and played on social divisions resulting in unspeakable violence on a massive scale (such as in Myanmar using Facebook). AI models will amplify both intentional misinformation (simple inaccuracies) and disinformation (false information) simply because they are trained on such data to produce more data (model cannibalism effect). Large language models can keep repeating fabricated and false information because of a phenomenon called 'hallucination' which independent watchdog NewsGuard has found in several online news portals.

Intentional or otherwise, all these could be quite handy in manipulating public opinion or creating biases to benefit those in power. That makes it even more necessary to regulate AI. To ensure that the benefits of AI reaches everyone, humans must always be on top of it.

Dr Sayeed Ahmed is a consulting engineer and the CEO of Bayside Analytix, a technology-focused strategy and management consulting organisation.​

 

[Saif]

Why Bangladesh should invest in artificial intelligence

In the 1970s, American sociologist and economic historian Immanuel Wallerstein (1930-2019) proposed an approach to view the global economic system as an interplay between three groups of countries: core, semi-periphery, and periphery countries.

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Why Bangladesh should invest in artificial intelligence

In the age of 4IR, investing in artificial intelligence (AI) would be the right move for Bangladesh to accelerate its economic growth. File Photo: AFP

In the 1970s, American sociologist and economic historian Immanuel Wallerstein (1930-2019) proposed an approach to view the global economic system as an interplay between three groups of countries: core, semi-periphery, and periphery countries. The core countries possess the highest levels of skills and knowledge and the largest amount of capital. The semi-periphery countries serve this group with lower-skill, labour-intensive production and raw materials. The periphery countries, in turn, service both groups with even lower skill levels and more labour-intensive production methods. The approach later came to be known as the World Systems Theory.

The system is dynamic: a country may move up or down the hierarchy depending on its technology, capital, or knowledge. Such movements involve fundamental shifts in a country's social and economic systems—e.g. production, distribution, learning, and skill level. For example, India was once an agriculture-based economic powerhouse, and the European traders clamoured to import its products. But as Europe became industrialised, the importers soon became exporters, and India's agriculture and home-based small industries drastically declined. The money extracted from India fuelled the First Industrial Revolution (late 18th century), funded research and development, and expanded the Western countries' knowledge base. Yale, a highly regarded American university, benefitted from Elihu Yale's (1649-1721) donations, who earned a fortune from the slave trade in India.

The second (late 19th century) and the third (mid-20th century) industrial revolutions soon followed on the back of the first. Both revolutions caused the status of countries to remain generally static; the core countries stayed ahead of the others primarily because of their control on capital, besides knowledge and skill.

The world is now going through the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). According to Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the 4IR has transformed the world with an entirely new production, management, and governance system. It can potentially alter Wallerstein's World Systems Theory, because skill and innovation will determine a society's place in the future, reducing dependence on capital. It thus opens new opportunities for the non-core emerging economies to move up Wallerstein's ladder. Schwab added that artificial intelligence (AI) would be a crucial driver of the 4IR. A good thing about AI is that emerging economies can also benefit from this technology without cost-prohibitive investments. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) highlights the same point with ideas and case studies in emerging economies under its thought leadership programme. Below are some of such case studies.

AI for emerging economies

Any effective poverty alleviation initiative needs data to identify vulnerable groups. However, the unavailability of quality data often leads to poorly designed interventions—such as incorrect identification of a vulnerable group—and their eventual failure. AI can analyse satellite images to extract relevant information, such as distance from the nearest water sources or the urban market, crop status, and other relevant variables for detecting vulnerability.

Bengaluru, in Southern India, is experimenting with a system to monitor real-time camera feeds to control traffic lights. In Rwanda, commercial drones are flying medical supplies, such as blood, to remote locations faster than road transport. AI can correlate data from mobile phones with financial affordability, education level, and health status. Such data will allow mobile applications to deliver microlending, tailored education, disease diagnosis, and medication advice. With Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools, AI can cross literacy barriers and communicate directly with an individual in any language.

Options for Bangladesh

MIT professors Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee believe that technology will create abundance, but not everyone will benefit equally. Those with talent will be more likely to secure the high-skilled, high-pay jobs, leaving the low-skilled, low-pay ones for the rest. The 4IR's impact on societies will be determined not by technologies, but by the choices one makes. What choice will Bangladesh make?

So far, Bangladesh's economy has been heavily dependent on low-cost products, such as garments—earning more than 80 percent of total annual exports, according to BGMEA—and remittance from low-skilled migrant workers—over USD 24 billion in 2020-21, according to Bangladesh Bank. Should it continue providing low-cost production and labour? Or can it train its abundant young population and make use of the opportunities presented by the 4IR?

How Bangladesh can benefit from 4IR

A Brac study, titled "Youths of Bangladesh: Agents of Change," offers some interesting insights. Bangladeshi youths are not yet prepared to take the opportunities provided by the 21st century (i.e. 4IR), and their potential remains vastly unrealised. It has just about 600,000 tech freelancers, although a whopping one-third of its 163 million (World Bank's 2019 estimate) people are between 15 and 35 years. With the right skills and investment, these youths could become game-changers.

Bangladesh adopted its AI strategy in March 2020, although there is no visible follow-up yet. China adopted its AI development plan in July 2017. Within merely four years, the sheer scale of China's drive towards AI implementation is mind-boggling, as the think tank New America reported in "From Riding a Wave to Full Steam Ahead." China's government entities, universities, research institutes, local bodies, and corporations are spearheading its AI vision of becoming the global leader by 2030. A Forbes article already views China as the world's first AI superpower.

But Bangladesh is not China. The two countries' social, political, and economic systems are vastly different. Bangladesh must find a path to reap the benefits of AI technology. Given its focus on science and technology, Bangladesh can start by setting up a few dedicated AI research institutes and attracting top talents to work for them. It can initiate AI-based research programmes targeting local problems such as Bangla NLP, manufacturing process automation, farming support, tailored education, or healthcare service to remote populations. Low-cost production base and unskilled labour would soon become redundant, just like horses no longer pull carts or carry coal from the mines. The only way to remain relevant is to adopt technology for faster and more equitable growth. Bangladesh cannot afford to miss the opportunity that 4IR offers.

Dr Sayeed Ahmed is a consulting engineer and the CEO of Bayside Analytix, a tech-focused strategy consulting organisation.​

 

[Saif]

AI’s ethical challenges require a multifaceted approach: Palak

There needs to be a multifaceted approach to address the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI), said State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak..AI should be used to close the gap on digital divides and empower society, rather than worsen existing inequalities, h

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AI's ethical challenges require a multifaceted approach: Palak

There needs to be a multifaceted approach to address the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI), said State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak.

AI should be used to close the gap on digital divides and empower society, rather than worsen existing inequalities, he said.

He also called for robust policy frameworks, regulatory measures and international cooperation to address these challenges.

The minister made these remarks at a "National Stakeholder Consultation on Assessing AI Readiness of Bangladesh", organised by the ICT Division in partnership with Unesco and Aspire to Innovate (a2i) at the ICT Tower in the capital recently.

The event highlighted the country's proactive approach in integrating AI to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals, according to a press release from the ICT Division.

The government is focusing on capacity building and regulatory frameworks and policies that ensure the ethical deployment of AI technologies, it read.

This is being achieved through collaborations with international organisations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), it added.

Md Shamsul Arefin, secretary of the ICT division, said AI can positively contribute to society through the ethical use of its transformative powers.

Md Mahmudul Hossain Khan, secretary on coordination and reforms to the Cabinet Division, stressed the significance of identifying gaps, opportunities and challenges in AI adaptation to formulate effective and sustainable strategies.

The event also featured insights from international representatives.

Charles Whiteley, ambassador and head of delegation of the European Union in Bangladesh, and Huhua Fan, OIC head of the Unesco Office in Dhaka, noted the importance of a comprehensive evaluation of AI readiness.

They opined that legal, social, cultural, scientific, economic and technical dimensions should be taken into consideration in this regard.

The event also saw discussions on integrating safe, trusted, and ethical AI considerations into strategies across various sectors, including education, transportation and agriculture.

The participants attended panel discussions and sessions that focused on the ethical implications and societal impact of AI technologies.​

 

[Saif]

Can Bangladesh leverage AI for inclusive growth?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in the global economy, positioning itself as a cornerstone of the fourth industrial revolution.

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Can Bangladesh leverage AI for inclusive growth?

The adoption of artificial intelligence in Bangladesh is still in its infancy, both for AI solution providers and their clients. Image: Possessed Photography/ Unsplash.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in the global economy, positioning itself as a cornerstone of the fourth industrial revolution. From theory to practical solutions, AI has proliferated over the last decade. Defined as a simulation of human intelligence, AI combines technologies like machine learning, natural language processing and robotics to solve business, economic and social problems.

The impact of AI on developing economies can be illustrated through the experiences of regions like India. The 2023 Ernst & Young report evaluated the contribution of generative AI to India's economy at approximately USD 1.2-1.5 trillion in the next seven years, potentially increasing GDP by 5.2%-7.9%. AI is remarkably used in India for fraud detection and risk management in financial services and personalised learning in education.

Companies like HDFC Bank use AI algorithms to analyse transaction patterns and detect anomalies, thereby preventing fraud. Likewise, AI-powered platforms like Byju's offer personalised learning experiences for students, adapting to their learning pace and style. This has democratised access to quality education, helping millions of students across the country improve their academic performance.

What sectors in Bangladesh can be impacted by leveraging AI?

According to the World Bank, Bangladesh's average growth rate over the decade was 6.6%, with 5.8% in 2023. PwC estimated AI's total contribution to the global economy at USD 17 trillion by 2030. Given AI's estimated contributions to the Indian economy, AI could potentially generate billions of dollars for the Bangladesh economy.

There are four sectors in Bangladesh where AI can create a critical impact: In healthcare, it can enhance diagnostic accuracy, assist in early disease detection, manage patient data, and personalise treatment plans. For agriculture, AI-driven solutions can improve crop yields, optimise resource management, and contribute to food security. In manufacturing, particularly the RMG sector, which accounts for 80% of export revenue, AI can streamline production processes, enable predictive maintenance, and facilitate smart quality control. AI integration in RMG can optimise supply chains, forecast demand, and enable personalised designs. AI can automate processes, improve fraud detection, offer data-driven trading decisions, and enhance financial inclusion in financial services.

Across these sectors, AI technologies such as machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing can analyse large datasets, identify patterns, and make data-driven decisions, ultimately increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and driving innovation in Bangladesh's economy.

Prominent Bangladeshi organisations are already at the forefront of AI innovation. For example, Intelligent Machines (IM) is a leading AI company in Bangladesh dedicated to using AI capabilities to solve problems and drive efficiency across various sectors. IM has successfully implemented AI in companies across telecom, financial institutions, and fast-moving consumer goods. Their AI-based services are reported to provide solutions with over 90% accuracy. The results that IM has provided thus far through AI integration are noteworthy. Unilever has achieved a 260% stretch target in 2021 using Fordo, a precision marketing AI product. BAT gained 253% improvements in brand campaign execution accuracy in 2021 using Shobdo, a speech recognition AI product. bKash gained 76% productivity and a 15% monthly onboarding growth rate with the help of Nimonton and Biponon, two retail AI products. IDLC Finance processes CIB reports in under 30 minutes using Dharapat, a FinTech AI product. Finally, Telenor saved 92.5% of the cost in completing 25 million KYCs in Myanmar using Borno and Chotur, two document verification AI products.

What are the challenges in AI implementation, integration and regulation?

The adoption of artificial intelligence in Bangladesh is still in its infancy, both for AI solution providers and their clients. Companies are reluctant to embrace AI solutions, not only due to a lack of infrastructure but also because of a shortage of understanding of these solutions. There may also be a reluctance to embrace AI solutions due to data privacy concerns. Similarly, the local growth of any AI-based service provider hinges on the readiness of consumers to adopt the technology. Finally, data availability is also a concern since, without data synthesising, the precision of AI solutions depends on the amount of relevant data fed to AI bots for machine learning.

Given this scenario, it is challenging for the government to craft policies that properly regulate the use of AI. The dilemma becomes whether the government should allow AI to proliferate for the sake of innovation or whether strong regulations should be in place well beforehand to uphold data privacy. Perhaps the best practice would be to balance innovation and regulation equally.

What are the prospects of AI in Bangladesh?

AI is catalysing change, enhancing productivity and efficiency, fostering innovation, and creating new avenues for growth. By investing in AI education and infrastructure, Bangladesh can position itself as a hub for innovation, attracting investment and talent while unlocking new opportunities for socioeconomic development.

The ICT Division of the Bangladesh government drafted a National AI Policy to address the challenges of AI adoption and implementation. The policy expands to ten sectors: telecommunication, data governance, environment, energy, and climate change. It introduces a robust framework for ethics, data privacy, and security, proposing the establishment of an independent National AI Center of Excellence and a High-Level National AI Advisory Council for facilitating and regulating AI services. The policy also provides detailed implementation plans for government ministries, academia, and private institutions. The objective is continuous monitoring, evaluation, and alignment with global advancements. It also addresses other challenges more thoroughly, offering specific mitigation strategies for data privacy, cybersecurity, and risk management.

Comparing AI's potential impact on Bangladesh with other developing countries like India and Africa reveals similar opportunities for economic evolution. As AI continues to engage with every corner of society, education and awareness of its usage and benefits are paramount. Adopting best practices, investing in infrastructure, and fostering a culture of innovation will be crucial in harnessing AI's benefits.

Rafsan Zia is a Business Consultant at LightCastle.​

 

[Saif]

Yunus voices concern over development of 'autonomous intelligence'

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday expressed cautions over the development of "autonomous intelligence" that may pose threats to human existence

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Yunus voices concern over development of 'autonomous intelligence'

Photo: PID

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday expressed cautions over the development of "autonomous intelligence" that may pose threats to human existence.

"As the scientific community and the world of technology keeps moving on developing 'autonomous intelligence' -- artificial intelligence that propagates on its own without any human intervention -- we all need to be cautious of the possible impact on every human person or our societies, today and beyond," he told the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Delivering his speech in Bangla, Prof Yunus said many have reasons to believe that unless autonomous intelligence develops in a responsible manner, it can pose threats to human existence.

"We are particularly enthused with the emergence of the artificial intelligence tools and applications. Our youth are excited with the prospect of fast-unfolding generative AI. They aspire to walk and work as global citizens," he said.

The chief adviser said the world needs to ensure that no youth in countries like Bangladesh get left behind in meaningfully reaping benefits from the AI-led transformation.

The world simultaneously needs to ensure that the development of artificial intelligence does not diminish the scope or demand for human labour, he said.

He said every year, nearly two and a half million Bangladeshis enter labour market. "In a large population where nearly two-thirds is young, Bangladesh is challenged to make learning suited to meet the needs of today and tomorrow," he added.

Prof Yunus observed that the world of work is changing where a younger person has to adapt constantly, re-skill, and adopt newer attitudes.

"As Bangladesh is set to graduate as a middle income country, we reckon the vital need to secure ourselves in terms of learning and technology," he added.

He said newer forms of collaboration are needed where global business and knowledge-holders connect to people's needs.

International cooperation should create space for developing countries in ways that can bring transformative applications or solutions for jobs, endemic socioeconomic challenges, or livelihoods, the chief adviser added.

About public health, he said in WHO, as Bangladesh leads the negotiations on a global pandemic treaty, it urges for convergence on the key provisions of adequate international cooperation, financing public health systems, technology transfer, research and development, diversification of production of medical diagnostics-vaccines-therapeutics.

Stressing the need for declaring vaccines a 'global public good' that is free from the rigours of intellectual property, the Nobel Laureate said that these are also crucial for combating the scourge of non-communicable diseases.

Referring to this year's golden jubilee celebration of Bangladesh's partnership with the United Nations, he said it has been a shared journey of mutual learning.

"In our modest ways, Bangladesh contributed towards promoting global peace and security, justice, equality, human rights, social progress and prosperity. And, indeed in building a rules-based international order," he said.​

 

[Saif]

Can AI help mitigate long-pending legal cases?

Bangladesh’s legal system is overwhelmed by a staggering backlog of cases, leaving many people waiting for justice for years, sometimes even decades.

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Can AI help mitigate long-pending legal cases?

Bangladesh's legal system is overwhelmed by a staggering backlog of cases, leaving many people waiting for justice for years, sometimes even decades. The legal process has become slow and frustrating with nearly 49 lakh cases pending and a severe shortage of judges, according to a newspaper report. Public trust in the judiciary has eroded, and finding solutions to this crisis has become critical. About 70 percent of the cases are backlogged at the witness hearing stage for at least three or more years, whereas 22 percent are backlogged at the investigation stage for one year and above, media reports say. One potential answer lies in using Artificial Intelligence (AI), which could offer much-needed efficiency and innovation to tackle these challenges.

SCALE OF THE PROBLEM

With only one judge for every 95 thousand citizens, Bangladesh's courts are stretched to the limit. As a result, cases drag on for years. This inefficiency is not just inconvenient, it is a denial of timely justice, which affects individuals, families and businesses alike.

HOW AI CAN HELP

Automating document creation and management: AI can help lawyers draft legal documents quickly and accurately. By generating first drafts of contracts or legal papers using templates, AI tools can save lawyers valuable time. Instead of being bogged down in repetitive tasks, legal professionals can focus on more complex issues, helping to move cases forward faster.

Enhancing legal research: Legal research is time-consuming, but AI can change that. AI-powered tools can skim through enormous amounts of data, case laws and statutes, providing quick access to relevant information.

Task management and scheduling: AI can take over the mundane yet critical task of managing lawyers' and judges' schedules. It can remind them of deadlines, upcoming court dates, and pending tasks.

Training junior lawyers: AI can act as a virtual mentor for junior lawyers, helping them learn faster. AI tools can simulate courtroom scenarios, provide real-time feedback on legal drafts and even conduct mock trials.

LOCAL SOLUTIONS FOR LOCAL PROBLEMS

Bangladesh has the potential to create AI solutions tailored to the specific needs of its legal system. Local tech companies are in a unique position to design tools that understand the context of Bangladeshi law. By investing in these technologies, Bangladesh can develop affordable solutions that will help clear the case backlog. Collaboration between the legal community, tech companies, and institutions like the Supreme Court and Bangladesh Bar Council is crucial for success.

Oleyn, a Bangladeshi-Singaporean tech company, is already developing AI-driven solutions through its product "superattorney.ai". Salman Sayeed, co-founder and CEO of Oleyn, said their innovative platform transforms legal services by scaling up operations at a low cost, addressing the high demand for legal assistance while keeping expenses low for clients and increasing revenue for lawyers.

VOICES FROM THE LEGAL INDUSTRY

Lawyer Raiyan Amin points out that "AI can help automate repetitive tasks such as case management, legal research and data entry," but adds that "AI should just assist and mustn't replace human judgment." Barrister Rafaelur Rahman Mehedi agrees, saying, "AI can help with drafting, legal databases and recording court statements, but trust and confidentiality are crucial in law, and we must be careful with AI's role in this."

CONCLUSION

AI has the potential to bring long-overdue changes to Bangladesh's legal system. By streamlining routine tasks, improving research and supporting lawyers, AI can help clear the backlog of cases and speed up justice. As local companies like Oleyn step up to provide innovative solutions, Bangladesh's legal landscape could soon see a much-needed transformation, ensuring that justice is delivered on time.

The author is the chief of staff of a leading startup and a former president of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Bangladesh​

 

[Saif]

Is AI modern Frankenstein?

A cognitive psychologist and computer scientist, the British-Canadian, Geoffrey E. Hinton who along with the American, John J. Hopfield, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences on October 8 is himself fearful of the invention that brought him the honour. Upon

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Is AI modern Frankenstein?
SYED FATTAHUL ALIM
Published :
Oct 14, 2024 21:56
Updated :
Oct 14, 2024 21:56

A cognitive psychologist and computer scientist, the British-Canadian, Geoffrey E. Hinton who along with the American, John J. Hopfield, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences on October 8 is himself fearful of the invention that brought him the honour. Upon leaving Google in May 2023 after working there for a decade, he admitted that he left the job to speak freely about the dangers of AI. To him, AI is outpacing human's ability to control it. Consider the frustration of the AI buffs, not less Google, who held him in high regard for his pioneering work on deep learning!The reason the Nobel Committee considered them for the Prize (in Physics) is their use of statistical physics concepts in the development of artificial intelligence. John J. Hopfield, a physicist- turned-chemist-turned-biologist at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 1982 proposed a simple (neural) network on how memories are stored in the brain. He later returned to Princeton as a molecular biologist.That means, neither scientist was a practising physicist when they got the Nobel Prize in Physics. Interestingly, though these two Nobel laureates in Physics got the prize for their seminal works in the advancement of AI, yet both of them expressed concerns about further development of the field they dedicated their career for. However, unlike Geoffrey Hinton, John Hopfield was less dramatic, though no less apprehensive, about expressing his fears about neural network he worked for that mimics the function of the human brain. Maybe, AI does it better than human brain and, what is alarming, even faster! He also warned of potential catastrophes if the advancements in AI research are not properly managed. So, he emphasised the need for deeper understanding of the deep learning systems so the technological development in the field may not go out of control.

The concerns raised by these two lead researchers in AI's advancement, call to mind the Asilomar conference (organised at the Asilomar State Beach in California, USA) of biotechnologists on recombinant DNA molecules in 1975. They discussed potential hazards and the need for regulation of biotechnology. Some 140 biologists, lawyers and physicists participated in the conference and they drew up a set of voluntary guidelines to ensure safety of the recombinant DNA technology, which is about genetic engineering technique that involves combining DNA from different species or creating new genes to alter an organism's genetic makeup.

Geoffrey Hinton in his interview with the website of Nobel Prize stressed thatAI is indeed an existential threat but we still do not know how to tackle it. There are some existential threats like climate change. But not only scientists, the general public also knows that by not burning fossil fuels and cutting down trees, the danger can be averted. That means, humanity knows the answer to the threat posed by the climate change, but it is the greedy businesses and politicians lacking the will who are coming in the way of addressing the threat.

To avert the threat to humanity originating from unregulated AI, mobilising resources by tech companies to conduct research on safety measures is necessary.

Hinton thinks that the linguistics school of Noam Chomsky, for instance, is quite dismissive about AI's capacity for understanding things the way humans do. They (neural networks of AI) cannot process language like humans, the Chomsky School holds.

But Geoffrey Hinton thinks this notion is wrong, since, in his view, neural nets do the job (of processing language) better than what the Chomsky School of Linguistics might imagine.

The harm AI can do is already before all to see. These include AI-generated photos, videos and texts that are flooding the internet. The problem is it is hard to tell the real contents from the fake ones. It can replace jobs, build lethal autonomous weapons by themselves and so on. Here lies the existential threat.​

 

[Saif]

Exploiting the potential of AI integration into Bangladesh university curriculums

AI has become the number one cause of change in industries all over the world, be it in health, manufacturing, agriculture, or even financial services. Its transformative potential is huge, especially in education, as it empowers personalised learning, data-based insights, and the acquisition of cr

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Exploiting the potential of AI integration into Bangladesh university curriculums
Serajul I Bhuiyan
Published :
Nov 11, 2024 22:04
Updated :
Nov 11, 2024 22:04

AI has become the number one cause of change in industries all over the world, be it in health, manufacturing, agriculture, or even financial services. Its transformative potential is huge, especially in education, as it empowers personalised learning, data-based insights, and the acquisition of critical skills demanded by the modern workforce. This inclusion of AI-based courses in university curricula is not only innovative but also highly essential for Bangladesh. Moving with the tide of time, Bangladeshi universities, especially private-sector ones, should seize the opportunity and get their students prepared with the competencies they will need in the AI-centric future.

RISE OF THE DEMAND FOR AI SKILLS: A 2023 report by the World Economic Forum emphasised the acute need for digital literacy, machine learning, data analytics, and other skills related to AI as integral to future employability. In Bangladesh, at least, this means industries such as textiles, telecommunication, banking, and logistics have already established their firm plans for integrating AI tools into their work. Bangladeshi universities have started integrating practical learning in AI, such as coding, predictive analytics, and automation tools. With the inclusion of AI across the curriculum, universities can ensure that students develop theoretical knowledge with a mix of practical skills in multidisciplinary areas that render job-ready adaptability in a fast-changing job market.

GOVERNMENT-INDUSTRY SYMBIOSIS: The post-Sheikh Hasina interim government now envisages Smart Bangladesh as a fundamental promise to establish a digitally competitive economy. This is an ambitious plan that epitomises the realisation that integrating artificial intelligence skills into the workforce is no longer an option but a critical driver for future economic growth and innovation. Correspondingly, the Bangladeshi government has also emphasised the development of relevant skills on AI and encouraged active partnerships between industries and academia in keeping with international trends.

This collaboration between the academia and the industry provides students with excellent opportunities to apply AI in practice, through internships, hands-on projects, and so on. The partnerships introduce students to the latest AI technologies firsthand, enabling them to explore various applications in fields such as telecommunications and finance, among others. Drawing inspiration from successful models in India and Singapore—where the integration of AI ranges from research to governance to skill-building—Bangladesh is well-placed to understand how to nurture the AI economy.

CHALLENGES OF INTEGRATING AI IN BANGLADESHI EDUCATION: While promising, the road to AI-integrated education in Bangladesh is beset with daunting challenges.

Infrastructure and skilled faculty shortages: Most universities in Bangladesh, especially the public ones, lack high-performance computing infrastructure, data labs, and software tools which are essential for effective AI education. Furthermore, a severe shortage of AI-trained faculty is also an added concern. To that effect, investment in faculty development, collaboration with globally top institutions, and integration in a knowledge-sharing platform is crucial.

Implementation Cost: There is a huge cost involved in setting up courses on AI, which includes building laboratory facilities as well as buying software licences and training the faculty on a continuous basis. It is expected that universities can have this challenge through public-private partnerships, international funding, and grants so that all institutions could have the required resources for the inclusion of AI in their programmes.

STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE-READY AI EDUCATION SYSTEM: The collaboration of universities, industries, and government in tandem holds the key to realising the full potential of AI in education. Here are some strategic recommendations that can help create a more enabling AI integration in Bangladeshi Universities:

AI centers of excellence: Setting up AI-focused research, industry partnerships, and skill development can help build an innovation-oriented culture. For instance, such projects at United International University can set examples by involving students and faculty in policymaking related to advanced AI projects.

Encourage multidisciplinary AI learning: The study of AI should be open to students from all disciplinary backgrounds, including but not limited to business, healthcare, and engineering, so that inter-disciplinarity in AI innovation is facilitated. This will ensure that students of all different fields have a preliminary understanding of where AI is taking their industry.

Leveraging AI-enhanced learning tools Intelligent learning platforms can enable customized learning through knowledge gap identification and adaptivity within learning content. These kinds of adaptive learning tools create an inclusive and effective learning environment, catering to the diverse learning styles and pace of the students.

Offering online and blended learning: Courses and certifications in AI online would increase access to students from all corners of the country, including those living in the most remote areas. This will enable Bangladeshi universities to provide top-class AI content irrespective of geographical barriers.

Organising AI hackathon and competition: Let the hackathons and competitions be the motivator for the students in designing solutions with AI applications aimed at solving real-world problems. This will enable ease of collaboration, creative problem-solving, and entrepreneurial mindset development.

Encouraging international collaboration: An internationally aligned AI curriculum, and collaboration with other institutions abroad, would continue to keep Bangladeshi universities competitive and current with global standards regarding AI education.

AI Education should be included at all levels: Initiative building concepts of AI should be prioritised at the primary and secondary levels to nurture AI literacy from a young age. This long-term approach will help cultivate a generation of tech-savvy individuals prepared to drive Bangladesh’s digital future.

BREAKING ACADEMIC SILOS— UNIVERSITIES AS PIONEERS IN AI INTEGRATION: Bangladeshi universities like North South University, BRAC University, Independent University, Bangladesh, American International University Bangladesh, the Institute of Business Administration at Dhaka University, East-West University, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, Daffodil International University, and United International University can be uniquely leading the AI revolution in the country. These institutions have both the resources and academic influence to enable a national movement for AI literacy and skill development. However, one widely held misconception stands in the way of such an outcome: far too many university leaders consider AI a tool relevant only to technical disciplines, and principally within computer science and engineering programmes. This is a very narrow perception, considering that AI’s potential benefits actually span widely, from economics and business to the social sciences. For instance, students of economics might use AI to create predictive market analytics, while students of social sciences might use data to understand behaviors pertinent to a community project. University leaders need to understand that AI is fundamentally multidisciplinary and that its applications go far beyond technical fields: AI tools are transforming the social sciences, the liberal arts, business, health care, and many other areas. For that reason, all academic leaders need to understand how AI applies to each discipline. In this way, universities can hope not only to raise the academic bar but also to prepare the students with the right skills to address prevailing challenges in the real world. Therein lies the opportunity for university leaders to get acquainted with the range of applications that AI serves so that they may strategically consider using it to create curricula positions that will place their institutions on the front row in academic excellence and prepare their students for meaningful contributions to the future of Bangladesh.

With a firm commitment to partnership, cross-disciplinary learning, and strategic investments, universities in Bangladesh could build the bedrock for a resilient and adaptable AI workforce. Standing in line with the likes of Satya Nadella’s vision, where he underlines the harmonious coexistence of humans and technology, Bangladesh has every reason to claim itself as a digital leader in the South Asian region. The journey toward AI literacy—one of transformation—charts the route towards a smart, sustainable future in which citizens of this nation are prepared to leverage the world for opportunities.

Dr. Serajul I. Bhuiyan is professor and former chair of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications and Georgia Governor’s AI Teaching Fellow, Savannah State University, Savannah, Georgia, USA.​

 

[Saif]

AI beyond engineering

In Bangladesh and much of South Asia, artificial intelligence (AI) is still commonly perceived as the domain of technical fields like computer science and engineering. However, this view limits the true potential of AI, which has become a transformative force across numerous disciplines, from medic

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AI beyond engineering
Serajul I Bhuiyan
Published :
Nov 14, 2024 21:08
Updated :
Nov 14, 2024 21:08

In Bangladesh and much of South Asia, artificial intelligence (AI) is still commonly perceived as the domain of technical fields like computer science and engineering. However, this view limits the true potential of AI, which has become a transformative force across numerous disciplines, from medicine and business to environmental science, social sciences, and the arts. Recognising AI's broad, interdisciplinary applications, visionary universities worldwide are embedding AI into a diverse array of academic fields. This integration equips students not only with foundational AI knowledge but also with practical experience, preparing them to succeed in an evolving, technology-driven world.

This article highlights AI's applications beyond technical fields, showing how cross-disciplinary AI education prepares students for innovation, complex problem-solving, and adapting to a global workforce. By embracing AI across the curriculum, educational institutions can foster a new generation of professionals ready to lead in an AI-powered future.

AI IN BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT: In today's globalised economy, AI is reshaping business by enabling data-driven decision-making, improving efficiency, and keeping companies competitive. Recognising AI's pivotal role, leading business schools worldwide are incorporating AI applications-ranging from predictive analytics and consumer behaviour modelling to financial forecasting and process automation-into their curricula. This equips students with essential skills to apply AI in marketing, finance, HR, and logistics, preparing them to thrive in technology-driven business environments. By blending theory with practical AI applications, these programs develop business professionals who can leverage AI for strategic advantage.

Business schools across the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia lead the way in AI education. Harvard Business School uses AI-driven analytics for marketing and strategic decisions, allowing students to analyse consumer behaviour and optimize pricing using real-world case studies. INSEAD, with campuses in France and Singapore, emphasizes AI's role in market analysis, consumer segmentation, and supply chain efficiency, tailoring AI applications to diverse business settings across Europe and Asia. Similarly, the National University of Singapore integrates AI for finance and customer management, preparing graduates for roles in the expanding FinTech sector. Other institutions, like London Business School and the University of Melbourne, offer courses on AI in digital transformation and personalised customer experiences, providing hands-on experience through industry collaborations.

The integration of AI in business education extends to areas like customer relationship management (CRM), supply chain logistics, financial forecasting, and HR. AI-enabled CRM tools let students design personalized customer experiences, essential in e-commerce and retail. AI-driven logistics models help students optimize supply chains, while in finance, students learn predictive modelling and risk analysis. HR applications allow students to use AI to predict workforce trends and enhance talent management. Mastering these applications, graduates from AI-empowered business programs gain a competitive edge, ready to lead AI initiatives aligned with strategic business goals.

AI IN HEALTHCARE AND LIFE SCIENCES: AI applications in healthcare are transformative, enhancing diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient care. Medical programs at institutions like Stanford University and Imperial College London integrate AI, training students in areas like image analysis in radiology, genomic sequencing, and predictive healthcare modelling. AI-based diagnostic tools, for instance, can detect diseases like cancer with remarkable precision. Students trained on such tools develop expertise in AI-driven healthcare, equipping them to improve patient outcomes in efficient, technology-enhanced healthcare systems. This hands-on approach prepares future professionals for tackling complex medical challenges, contributing to global health improvements.

AI IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY: Environmental science programs are increasingly using AI to address challenges such as climate change, resource management, and conservation. Institutions like ETH Zurich and Australia's University of Queensland incorporate AI into environmental studies, where students learn to monitor ecosystems, forecast weather patterns, and create renewable energy solutions. For example, students may use AI models to analyse satellite images for tracking deforestation, helping governments and NGOs respond to environmental degradation in real-time. This training enables graduates to apply data-driven insights toward sustainable environmental solutions, making meaningful contributions to global issues.

AI IN ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING: In fields like manufacturing, civil infrastructure, and robotics, AI is driving innovation and efficiency. Institutions such as MIT and the Technical University of Munich incorporate AI into their engineering programs, allowing students to simulate processes, optimize structures, and develop automated systems. In manufacturing, AI applications include predictive maintenance and logistics optimization, enhancing production efficiency and quality control. Robotics students, for example, design AI-powered robots for complex tasks like assembly or hazardous material handling. These real-world AI applications provide students with the practical skills needed to lead advancements in automation and smart manufacturing.

AI IN SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES: AI is also making an impact in social sciences and humanities, fields that were traditionally data-limited but are now rich with insights through AI analytics. Universities like Oxford and the University of Toronto use AI tools in sociology, psychology, and political science to study social patterns, behavioural trends, and policy impacts. Political science students can use predictive analytics to model election outcomes or assess public opinion shifts, while psychology students may apply AI-driven sentiment analysis to evaluate mental health trends on social media, identifying community needs. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to ground theoretical knowledge in empirical data, fostering a nuanced understanding of societal issues and enabling evidence-based solutions.

AI IN LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY: AI is also transforming law and public policy, fields that were traditionally considered resistant to technology. Institutions like the National University of Singapore and Stanford Law School now offer courses on AI applications in legal research, contract analysis, and case prediction. Students learn how AI can automate document reviews, identify precedents, and predict case outcomes based on past rulings. In public policy, AI enables the analysis of healthcare access, crime rates, and education quality, providing empirical evidence for data-driven policy decisions. This integration equips future professionals to address the ethical and regulatory challenges of AI, preparing them to create informed legislation that balances innovation with responsible AI use.

By embracing AI across disciplines, universities worldwide are preparing a generation of graduates ready to lead in an AI-powered world.

AI IN ARTS AND DESIGN: AI introduces an exciting new dimension to arts and design, opening frontiers for creativity and innovation. Programs at institutions like the Royal College of Art in the UK and Parsons School of Design in the US are incorporating AI into courses that explore generative design, digital art, and music composition. Through AI, students create immersive virtual reality experiences, develop algorithmic art, and even compose music using machine learning models. In media arts, AI enhances special effects, personalizes viewer experiences, and optimizes content recommendations. By merging AI with creative disciplines, universities empower students to push the boundaries of traditional art forms, creating a unique blend of technology and artistic expression that redefines the possibilities in arts.

AI IN JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATIONS: AI is redefining journalism and mass communications, reshaping how news is gathered, produced, and delivered in an age of rapid digital transformation. Top media organisations and journalism schools globally are adopting AI-powered tools to create a more agile, responsive, and insightful media landscape. AI tools analyze vast datasets, automate content generation, personalize news delivery, and detect misinformation, enabling journalists to produce content more quickly, accurately, and with greater impact. From automating routine news to enhancing fact-checking, AI allows newsrooms to cover stories efficiently, freeing journalists to delve into complex investigative work. Journalism students, in turn, learn to use AI technologies to meet emerging challenges and capitalise on AI-driven opportunities in media

In practice, AI advances news automation, personalised content, investigative data analysis, and multimedia storytelling. Organisations like The Associated Press and Reuters employ AI algorithms to automate routine reports on financials, sports, and weather, allowing journalists to focus on in-depth stories. AI personalises content to readers' preferences, as seen with The New York Times and BBC, which recommend articles based on reader interests, enhancing engagement. AI-powered visual tools also streamline video editing, create immersive AR and VR content, and enable social listening on platforms like Crimson Hexagon, tracking public sentiment on key issues. Predictive analytics helps outlets like The Guardian forecast trends, while translation tools like Google Translate broaden reach globally. Journalism programs now integrate training in these applications, preparing students for a field where tech-savvy complements traditional reporting skills. As students consider the ethical aspects of AI-addressing privacy, bias, and responsible use-they are positioned to lead with integrity in a fast-evolving digital world.

TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT: By embedding AI across disciplines, universities create a space where students experience AI's transformative potential in varied contexts. This cross-functional approach produces graduates who are not only experts in their fields but also proficient in AI, ready to work in interdisciplinary teams and adapt to fast-changing, tech-driven environments. Real-world projects, internships, and AI-driven lab work help students to bridge academic knowledge with industry practice, equipping them to contribute meaningfully from day one in the workforce. This blend of theory and practice prepares students to drive change and innovation across industries.

BUILDING A RESILIENT WORKFORCE FOR AN AI-DRIVEN WORLD: In a global economy that values digital proficiency and technological expertise, universities that embrace AI across disciplines position their graduates for lasting success. Integrating AI into diverse fields ensures that students gain foundational knowledge while also learning to apply AI in industry-relevant ways. This mix of theory and hands-on experience fosters agile, innovative graduates equipped to navigate the complexities of an AI-powered future. As AI advances, this approach cultivates a resilient workforce capable of adapting and harnessing AI responsibly to address real-world challenges and contribute to societal progress.

Dr Serajul I Bhuiyan is a professor and former chair of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications at Savannah State University, Savannah, Georgia. USA; and a Georgia Governor's AI Teaching Fellow at Louise

McBee Institute of Higher Education, University of Georgia, Athens, USA.​

 

[Saif]

Is AI’s meteoric rise beginning to slow?

A quietly growing belief in Silicon Valley could have immense implications: the breakthroughs from large AI models -– the ones expected to bring human-level artificial intelligence in the near future –- may be slowing down.

www.thedailystar.net

Is AI’s meteoric rise beginning to slow?

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman (L) shakes hands with Microsoft Chief Technology Officer and Executive VP of Artificial Intelligence Kevin Scott during an event in Seattle. OpenAI recently raised $6.6 billion to fund further advances. Photo: AFP

A quietly growing belief in Silicon Valley could have immense implications: the breakthroughs from large AI models -– the ones expected to bring human-level artificial intelligence in the near future –- may be slowing down.

Since the frenzied launch of ChatGPT two years ago, AI believers have maintained that improvements in generative AI would accelerate exponentially as tech giants kept adding fuel to the fire in the form of data for training and computing muscle.

The reasoning was that delivering on the technology's promise was simply a matter of resources –- pour in enough computing power and data, and artificial general intelligence (AGI) would emerge, capable of matching or exceeding human-level performance.

Progress was advancing at such a rapid pace that leading industry figures, including Elon Musk, called for a moratorium on AI research.

Despite the massive investments in AI, performance improvements are showing signs of plateauing.

Yet the major tech companies, including Musk's own, pressed forward, spending tens of billions of dollars to avoid falling behind.

OpenAI, ChatGPT's Microsoft-backed creator, recently raised $6.6 billion to fund further advances.

xAI, Musk's AI company, is in the process of raising $6 billion, according to CNBC, to buy 100,000 Nvidia chips, the cutting-edge electronic components that power the big models.

However, there appears to be problems on the road to AGI.

Industry insiders are beginning to acknowledge that large language models (LLMs) aren't scaling endlessly higher at breakneck speed when pumped with more power and data.

Despite the massive investments, performance improvements are showing signs of plateauing.

"Sky-high valuations of companies like OpenAI and Microsoft are largely based on the notion that LLMs will, with continued scaling, become artificial general intelligence," said AI expert and frequent critic Gary Marcus. "As I have always warned, that's just a fantasy."

One fundamental challenge is the finite amount of language-based data available for AI training.

According to Scott Stevenson, CEO of AI legal tasks firm Spellbook, who works with OpenAI and other providers, relying on language data alone for scaling is destined to hit a wall.

"Some of the labs out there were way too focused on just feeding in more language, thinking it's just going to keep getting smarter," Stevenson explained.

Sasha Luccioni, researcher and AI lead at startup Hugging Face, argues a stall in progress was predictable given companies' focus on size rather than purpose in model development.

"The pursuit of AGI has always been unrealistic, and the 'bigger is better' approach to AI was bound to hit a limit eventually -- and I think this is what we're seeing here," she told AFP.

The AI industry contests these interpretations, maintaining that progress toward human-level AI is unpredictable.

"There is no wall," OpenAI CEO Sam Altman posted Thursday on X, without elaboration.

Anthropic's CEO Dario Amodei, whose company develops the Claude chatbot in partnership with Amazon, remains bullish: "If you just eyeball the rate at which these capabilities are increasing, it does make you think that we'll get there by 2026 or 2027."

Nevertheless, OpenAI has delayed the release of the awaited successor to GPT-4, the model that powers ChatGPT, because its increase in capability is below expectations, according to sources quoted by The Information.

Now, the company is focusing on using its existing capabilities more efficiently.

This shift in strategy is reflected in their recent o1 model, designed to provide more accurate answers through improved reasoning rather than increased training data.

Stevenson said an OpenAI shift to teaching its model to "spend more time thinking rather than responding" has led to "radical improvements".

He likened the AI advent to the discovery of fire. Rather than tossing on more fuel in the form of data and computer power, it is time to harness the breakthrough for specific tasks.

Stanford University professor Walter De Brouwer likens advanced LLMs to students transitioning from high school to university: "The AI baby was a chatbot which did a lot of improv'" and was prone to mistakes, he noted.

"The homo sapiens approach of thinking before leaping is coming," he added.​

 

[Saif]

Address the misuse of social media and AI

AI and social media fuelling mis- and disinformation is threatening unity in Bangladesh.

www.thedailystar.net

Address the misuse of social media and AI
We must not let lies on cyberspace disrupt peace and unity

VISUAL: STAR

The United Nations chief's recent comment about social media and artificial intelligence (AI) amplifying hate speech and spreading disinformation rings true in Bangladesh's present context. Only five months ago, social media networks were used to unite people in bringing down Sheikh Hasina's fascist regime. Unfortunately, the same tool, enhanced with AI-generated content, is now being used to create divisions in society.

After the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's fascist regime, many perceive—60 percent, according to a recent survey by Voice of America—that freedom of speech and expression has improved in Bangladesh. Yet, as the lines between expressing an opinion and stating a fact become blurry and murky on social media platforms, people and organisations are being harassed or threatened with mob justice. More concerningly, thanks to social media, the propagation of misinformation and disinformation—as well as taking content out of context and presenting it with ill intention—is quickly spreading across national borders.

It has reached a new level, especially after the fall of Sheikh Hasina. For instance, our neighbouring country's media—given the political ideology they serve—are resorting to social media misinformation to such an extent that their actions are causing a rift in Bangladesh-India relations. More worryingly, it is instilling hatred among many people, threatening social cohesion and unity. Sadly, reiteration of falsehoods, sometimes with the help of AI-generated content on social media, often succeeds in gaining people's trust. In fact, a 2018 study by MIT's Media Lab found that "falsehood diffuses significantly farther, faster, deeper, and more broadly than the truth." Moreover, it is humans who reshare false information more than bots that are made for that purpose.

To counter the spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media, the government must develop ways to address the deepfakes of the cyber world. Countering false narratives and controlling the propagation of disinformation by forces outside the nation may require well-thought-out strategies. The country's media, as well as internationally reputed outlets, can play a role in this fight. At the same time, the government must ensure that press freedom in the country is not threatened. Additionally, the government's messaging in this context should be uniform, and its actions must reflect its words.

Additionally, the authorities should focus on improving social media literacy. Enhancing online intelligence capabilities should also be considered. However, any steps, including creating new policies to control and prevent cybercrimes using information as a weapon, should not come at the cost of people's right to privacy and free speech.​

 

[Saif]

How to use AI efficiently and ethically for studying

Here are some efficient tips for using AI which will not compromise your learning.

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How to use AI efficiently and ethically for studying

Photo: Orchid Chakma

The subject of using artificial intelligence (AI) for studying is a controversial one, to say the least, even though this practice has been going on for quite some time now. The unease surrounding AI usage in one's studies is understandable. However, students often blur the lines between academic integrity and genuine learning when it comes to using AI. Whether it's due to time constraints, multiple assignments piling up, or just procrastination, AI often becomes a 'quick-fix' tool of sorts rather than a tool to help one learn better or faster.

Even so, as much as some teachers would sternly advise us to steer clear of AI when it comes to academic obligations, it cannot be denied that AI can serve as a crucial tool when it comes to learning. Hence, to find a proper balance, here are some efficient tips for using AI which will not compromise your learning.

Personalised learning

Everyone's learning curve is different. While some are content with textual content, others thrive with visuals. With rapid advancements in AI, more and more tools are being unveiled to support and sustain your learning. As a result, no matter what your learning style is, finding the right method will ensure that you are thoroughly understanding the concepts and actually learning instead of using AI as a crutch to get a passing grade.

Summarising content

For writing-heavy tasks requiring you to go through textbooks and documents, AI can come in handy with summaries, especially if it's in a chapter-wise format. That way, you can decipher which bits are relevant to your learning and go back and peruse those sections from your reading materials. This way, you can optimise your time while also getting the actual reading done.

Making study planners

If you are overwhelmed with overlapping academic tasks and have no clue where to begin, asking AI for study planners can be extremely fruitful. Not only will you be provided with detailed timely breakdowns for each task, coupled with well-needed breaks, but also tips on how to stay on track and what to prioritise. This step prevents you from succumbing to the pressure and helps you stay focused.

Asking for feedback

Before AI, whenever you got stuck at a coding problem or weren't exactly pleased with the style of your essay, your only option was to wait around for a teacher to get back with their assistance or feedback. However, with AI's constant availability, you can get instantaneous solutions, whether it's finally understanding how to restructure your writing or knowing what went wrong in your balance sheet. Thus, you can very easily learn where your weaknesses and strengths lie.

Using AI-powered flashcards

Through this method, complex concepts are broken down into simpler fragments to aid your comprehension. As you progress, the difficulty of the flashcards is adjusted. You can also instruct the AI to make flashcards in the form of quizzes or games to better aid your learning. Writing down the content from the flashcards can also serve as a note-taking strategy, enabling you to remember the content better.

It is evident that AI will only evolve with time, and there is no way to ignore its impact. However, as students, we must understand that consistently relying on AI to speed through homework and assignments without truly engaging in the learning process ultimately does more harm than good. Such dependence will only dwindle our creativity, problem-solving skills, and genuine curiosity. Hence, a middle ground is necessary, to ensure that AI only serves as a supplement and not a replacement to actual learning.

Anica Bushra Rahmaan is a student of Economics at BRAC University.​

 

[Saif]

AI comes down from cloud as chips get smarter

Artificial intelligence is moving from data centres to ‘the edge’ as computer makers build the technology into laptops, robots, cars and more devices closer to home.

www.newagebd.net

AI comes down from cloud as chips get smarter
Agence France-Presse . Las Vegas 10 January, 2025, 22:55

Attendees walk past a row of Chinese businesses in Eureka Park at Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Wednesday. | AFP photo

Artificial intelligence is moving from data centres to ‘the edge’ as computer makers build the technology into laptops, robots, cars and more devices closer to home.

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) gadget extravaganza closing Friday was rife with PCs and other devices touting AI chips, making them more capable than ever and untethering them from the cloud.

Attention-grabbing stars included ‘AI PCs,’ personal computers boasting chips that promised a level of performance once limited to muscular data centres.

‘Whatever was running in the cloud last year is running on the edge this year,’ Kamesh Medapalli, senior vice-president of innovation and technology at Infineon Technologies, told AFP.

‘The pattern is already there and will only accelerate; the opportunity is huge on the edge.’

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang got a celebrity reception at CES, where he announced a ramped-up line of graphics processing units (GPUs) that imbue PCs with AI capabilities.

Huang told a packed arena that nearly all computer makers are working with Nvidia to get ready ‘so AI PCs are coming to a home near you.’

Huang unveiled ‘Project DIGITS,’ described as a personal AI supercomputer.

It features a new Nvidia ‘superchip’ for prototyping, fine-tuning and running large AI models on desktop computing systems, according to the chip maker.

‘AI will be mainstream in every application for every industry,’ Huang said.

‘Placing an AI supercomputer on the desks of every data scientist, AI researcher and student empowers them to engage and shape the age of AI.’

Project DIGITS signals that Nvidia’s strategy for AI data centres is extending to consumers who want the technology on their own machines, according to University of Pennsylvania computer science professor Benjamin Lee.

Infineon’s Medapalli said a shift to the edge means that functions like engaging with generative AI chatbots that once involved sending requests to be processed in data centres could be handled on a PC or smartphone.

‘You don’t have to have any internet connection; you don’t have to talk to anybody in the cloud,’ Medapalli said.

‘All your data is private and local — that is what I mean by edge AI, and that is rapidly coming.’

The AI edge could be anywhere processors can be embedded, including robots, cameras and cars.

‘That’s why the opportunity is huge in edge AI,’ Medapalli said.

Market tracker Canalys has projected that AI-capable PCs will account for some 40 per cent of overall PC shipments this year, with that number more than doubling by 2028.

‘The wider availability of AI-accelerating silicon in personal computing will be transformative,’ Canalys principal analyst Ishan Dutt said in a post.

‘PCs with dedicated on-device AI capabilities will enable new and improved user experiences, driving productivity gains and personalising devices at scale while offering better power efficiency, stronger security and reduced costs associated with running AI workloads.’

CES goers flocked to a Gigabyte Technology booth at CES to check out PCs enhanced with Nvidia high-performance processors.

‘We’ve had a lot of interest in the graphics card as well as the gaming laptop, because they are the

top from Nvidia right now,’ Mia Qu of Gigabyte told AFP.

‘Especially for gamers or people who plan to us it for large storage or high performance on a daily basis, they’re eyeing these specific products.’

Techsponential analyst Avi Greengart said chip and laptop vendors at CES are seeing AI capabilities resonate with people who want to speed up workflow, extend battery life and enhance video calls.

‘We are actually seeing AI making a difference in real things people actually do,’ Greengart said.​

 

[Krishna with Flute]

AI is a double edged sword. Strict regulations are required to deal with possible nuisance coming along with the development of AI. There is going to be a big competition between big countries to take a lead in AI. Bangladesh should ensure that they are not left behind to far from where it becomes impossible to ketchup They should start investing in AI right from this point of time

 

[Saif]

Navigating the AI revolution: Opportunities and challenges in Bangladesh

What remains to be seen is whether or not we can make full use of its potential.

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Navigating the AI revolution: Opportunities and challenges in Bangladesh

Illustration: Salman Sakib Shahryar

The age of artificial intelligence (AI) is upon us, and it has brought huge changes in the 21st century, transforming not only industries and economies but also everyday life. Naturally, Bangladesh is also joining this AI wave, with organisations here gradually using AI to improve services and boost economic growth.

However, as businesses and organisations across the country start embracing this technology, what remains to be seen is whether or not we can make full use of its potential, and what roadblocks we might have to deal with along the way.

Mashrur Ahmed, a business development executive at Unilever Bangladesh Limited, highlighted how AI is transforming the company.

"AI helps us grow faster and work more efficiently," he said, citing partnerships with Microsoft and Accenture to develop tools like 'Una', an AI co-pilot that helps with quick decision-making. The AI is capable of answering questions by fetching data from the company's database.

AI also supports employee development at Unilever through 'Degreed', a customised learning platform like Coursera that hosts an array of courses developed in-house. By utilising AI, Degreed recommends courses tailored to individual roles and career paths. Additionally, Unilever's AI-powered social network, 'Viva Engage', makes cross-departmental communication smoother and more engaging.

Artificial intelligence is also making significant strides in the financial sector. Akhyar Noor, CEO and Founder of Buckyy Payment Solutions Limited (BPSL), a research-based fintech solution company headquartered in Bangladesh, highlighted a concerning statistic. As of March 2024, the total disbursed loans reached BDT 16,40,855 crore, with BDT 1,82,295 crore classified as defaulted – the highest in the history of Bangladesh. This equates to an alarming 11.10 percent of disbursed loans being in default.

One of the main reasons behind this significant number of defaulted loans is that debt was granted to several individuals with no means to repay. Akhyar said, "At Buckyy, we have developed a credit scoring engine – Rini AI – using machine learning techniques, trained using the historical financial data of our partner banks. Rini AI can assess the creditworthiness of borrowers more accurately and efficiently compared to manual evaluations. Based on the evaluations, Rini AI sets a credit limit for each borrower that they can comfortably repay with their streams of income."

Regardless of the efficiency AI can offer, workplaces across the globe are still struggling, to some extent, to integrate AI into their regular operations. S K Md Anik Hassan Rabby, a lecturer at the Department of Management Studies, Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), said, "Today's workplace is more diverse than ever before. Gen Z has already entered the workforce, meaning there are currently different generations coexisting in workplaces."

Anik further explained, "Many older adults lack the necessary digital skills and confidence to use technology effectively. For instance, a survey of 17 European countries revealed that 52 percent of individuals aged 65 and older do not use the internet. The scenario in Bangladesh is even more concerning. Under such circumstances, the mass implementation of AI could create a digital divide among generations and fuel age-based discrimination in workplaces. Sadly, a digital skills gap is evident even among the youth, with 84 percent of young people in Bangladesh lacking the basic digital skills required to use AI effectively."

Anik, therefore, suggests integrating AI gradually into operations and educational curricula, rather than hastily automating everything, to ensure its effective and efficient use.

Another reason behind the resistance to AI adoption is that many people fear that the rapid integration of AI in the workplace will lead to a widespread job crisis. This concern emerged due to existing machine learning systems' improved ability to emulate human labour across many industries.

However, The World Economic Forum predicts that while Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies driven by AI will significantly alter the world and hence, our work and lifestyles, mass unemployment may not be the inevitable outcome. Regardless, AI is already contributing to a job crisis for creative professionals in Bangladesh.

For SEO writers and graphic designers, AI tools are increasingly taking over tasks like content creation and design. This change not only threatens their jobs but also reduces the demand for creative professionals in the job market.

Musharrat Abir, an SEO writer at 10 Minute School, shared, "I started my content writing journey back in 2017, right when Bangladesh saw a boom in online news portals and Facebook e-commerce sites. There was a huge demand for content writers back then, with more vacancies than generic writers, which made it easier to get started. Fast forward to 2024, and with the widespread use of AI, many small businesses now rely on tools like ChatGPT to handle their content needs."

This shift, Musharrat explained, has made it harder for newcomers in the content writing sector to establish themselves as reputable organisations tend to favour candidates with experience and diverse portfolios. New entrants are hired less frequently. This, in turn, makes it difficult for them to build the profiles that recruiters seek in the first place.

Musharrat further noted that demand for SEO writers is declining overall, as people are increasingly turning to AI tools for more customised answers instead of reading entire articles. As a result, the reach of blogs is decreasing and the popularity of content writing as a profitable side hustle is gradually fading.

Mujahidul Islam, a freelance graphic designer, shares his thoughts regarding the use of AI in creative fields, "The threat of AI tools is not new in the visual design field. During the early days of my career, it was much easier to rank gigs on Fiverr – an online marketplace for freelance services. Clients would hire graphic designers to remove backgrounds from pictures for USD 5 or USD 10. However, in 2019, an AI tool called remove.bg took the graphic design industry by storm, allowing people to remove backgrounds from their pictures with just one click. This led many entry-level graphic designers to lose their jobs."

Mujahidul also said, "I used to create YouTube intro and outro videos for clients on Fiverr and sold my templates on sites like VideoHive. Today, my intervention is rarely needed, as AI tools can easily accomplish tasks that took me years to master and refine."

"Societies faced a similar job crisis after the Industrial Revolution," said Mashrur. "AI should not be seen as a threat, but rather as a tool that increases efficiency."

Adding to this, Mujahidul said, "We cannot deny the benefits that AI brings to the table just because it is predicted to cause a massive job crisis. Therefore, it is essential to upskill oneself to remain relevant in the job market."

Mujahidul went on to explain that rather than viewing AI as a threat, designers can focus on developing their unique style and creativity – areas where AI still falls short.

"Specialising in user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design is another way to stay relevant, as these fields require human empathy and an understanding of user behaviour," Mujahidul noted.

Adding to the conversation, Musharrat said, "There is a reason why it is called 'artificial' intelligence as it can rarely capture the essence of personal writing styles and voices that truly resonate with readers. This is why SEO writers need to sharpen their writing skills to stay relevant in today's job market."

The use of AI has raised significant ethical concerns as more organisations in Bangladesh particularly turn to AI for their content and advertising needs. Mujahidul noted, "One such ethical issue with AI is that it often builds on existing artwork rather than creating something truly original. For example, if I enter a prompt into Midjourney AI – an AI image generator – it generates an image based on previously created art."

Mujahidul added that this process often means that real artists and graphic designers rarely receive the credit or recognition that they deserve.

"If you have travelled by metro, you may have noticed an AI-generated picture of a woman encouraging you to read a book during your journey," Mujahidul pointed out. "This advertisement, likely created by a single person using an AI tool, would previously have required models, photographers, and graphic designers to bring it to life."

Mujahidul explained that not only are these professionals facing job shortages, but the original artists whose work was used to train the data that generated the image are also deprived of royalties. "It is concerning," he concluded. "More and more organisations in Bangladesh are turning to AI for creating marketing materials, which raises several ethical concerns."

In regard to these ethical concerns, Raiyaan Ehab Shams, a growth marketer, remarked, "We are still in the novice stages of AI implementation. However, in the coming days, it will be essential for companies to develop specific policies regarding the use of AI to ensure that no one is exploited, and credit is given where it is due. For now, the least companies could do is properly disclose when they have used AI to generate images and graphics, as a step toward addressing these ethical concerns."

Relying solely on AI to generate marketing campaigns and advertisements may also not benefit organisations in the long run. Raiyaan explained, "Since AI cannot create anything truly original, if everyone relies on it, they will all end up with similar marketing strategies and materials, making it difficult for any organisation to gain a competitive edge. At the end of the day, human intervention is essential to thrive in this cutthroat competitive market."

Tazrin is a Finance and Banking student at Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP).​

 

[Saif]

Govt service delivery: Task force for using AI, social media

A task force formed by the planning ministry is going to recommend the formation of an independent centre for delivering government services via social media and utilising artificial intelligence (AI).

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Govt service delivery: Task force for using AI, social media

A task force formed by the planning ministry is going to recommend the formation of an independent centre for delivering government services via social media and utilising artificial intelligence (AI).

Such proposals came against the context that influence of both social media and artificial intelligence has been on the rise in Bangladesh alongside other parts of the globe.

The 12-member task force, led by KAS Murshid, former director general of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, has finalised a draft report.

The nearly 600-page report will be submitted to Planning and Education Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud in a couple of days, said ministry officials.

The ministry formed the task force in September last year to develop strategies to boost the economy and mobilise resources for equitable and sustainable development.

The draft report provides strategic recommendations for addressing pressing challenges and facilitating equitable and sustainable development in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus.

It emphasises short-term pragmatic interventions and long-term reforms across sectors, addressing economic growth, governance, public service delivery, and environmental sustainability.

The draft report says the name of the centre will be the Centre for Social and Behavioural Change Communication and Research (CSBCC&R).

It added that the establishment of the independent centre is essential to addressing the fragmented nature of current efforts in this critical area.

Currently, various departments handle communication initiatives without a cohesive strategy, leading to inefficiencies, and missed opportunities.

The CSBCC&R would centralise these efforts, providing a structured platform for both traditional media and digital communication strategies.

By merging traditional methods such as community workshops and meetings with contemporary digital campaigns utilising social media and online platforms, the CSBCC&R would create a unified and impactful communication strategy to drive social change, attitudes, norms, and practices.

Regarding AI utilisation, the draft report says a major strategic emphasis is required within key sectors such as education, health, agriculture, and public institutions to facilitate the widespread adoption of digital and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

For instance, employing satellite sensing technology can enable effective crop early-warning systems to improve agricultural practices, while distance education can ensure that learning continues uninterrupted regardless of geographical barriers.

"By integrating these advanced technologies, we can enhance quality, efficiency and access across multiple sectors, ultimately improving outcomes for the entire population," said the report.

Moreover, the report says utilising digital and AI technologies effectively would help bridge the existing digital divide.

This involves reducing data costs, increasing access to affordable smartphones -- implemented with appropriate safeguards for age-specific content -- and fostering the growth of a robust domestic software and hardware ICT industry.

"By promoting widespread digital access, we can empower citizens, enhance digital literacy, and stimulate innovation within the ICT sector," the report mentions.

The task force also recommended introducing an automatic traffic signalling system for streamlining the urban transport system.

Such a system is a fundamental requirement for any major city worldwide; yet attempts to implement the system in Dhaka have faced challenges, often collapsing due to resistance from vested interests, it said.

This initiative should be regarded as a "low-hanging fruit" because it is both actionable and capable of yielding immediate benefits.

Besides, it said the current model of public transport in Dhaka, characterised by multiple ownership of bus services, has led to significant confusion and chaos on the roads, directly impacting public safety and convenience.

A transition to a single-owner bus service franchise that unites all the fragmented owners into one provider has been recommended as a solution to end urban bus transport chaos.

This should be marked by a move to put drivers on a fixed salary rather than on a commission.

Key focus areas of the report include pilot projects to demonstrate reform potential, initiatives in infrastructure, education, health, and governance, leveraging digital technology, and fostering youth engagement.

It critiques past governance and economic mismanagement while proposing a human-centered development strategy.

The draft report has suggested for public hospital reform in Dhaka with real-time monitoring and user feedback, rural school and clinic reform tailored to address rural challenges, and revitalisation of the Buriganga river as a symbolic and urgent environmental project.

Besides, for institutional reforms, it said creation of new bodies like the Regulatory Reform Commission, and Centre for Global Excellence in STEM education.

Moreover, it recommended for strategic overhaul of Bangladesh Biman, including potential renaming as "Bangladesh Airways" as well as restructuring or replacement.​

 

[Saif]

Tapping into AI potentials to ensure better educational outcomes

While it stands true that AI has revolutionized education, we also need to look into the challenges that it presents to students’ well-being.

en.prothomalo.com

Tapping into AI potentials to ensure better educational outcomes
Dhiraj S Dabi
Published: 24 Jan 2025, 15: 51

It goes without saying that AI is a double-edged sword, having its share of both positive and negative impacts. Just like any other technological innovation, AI, on the one hand, can be so disruptive that it could bring about instrumental changes in all spheres of life; on the other hand, it could also lead to devastating impacts on human lives. Especially, as far education sector is concerned, whether to integrate AI or not seems to be the big question. Realizing its significance, the theme for the International Day of Education 2025 has been decided as ‘AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in the World of Automation’.

It is important to remember that although AI is already a powerful tool in the world, its potential capabilities are even greater, meaning it could shape education and change the way teachers around the world impart knowledge. However, society has an obligation to stop and see if we are indeed leveraging AI correctly.

There is little doubt that AI can be a great asset in the classroom. It makes education easier and helps especially those with special needs with a much more personalized experience. Because of the advancements in AI, educators can ensure nobody is left behind, and learners have more equitable access to education. Additionally, with the help of AI for administrative tasks, teachers are able to spend more time doing what they love most, which is guiding students and, engaging with them in deeper conversations. In a country like Bangladesh where access to quality education can be limited in many places and with millions of students at school age, AI can be a great tool for bridging the gap.

While it stands true that AI has revolutionized education, we also need to look into the challenges that it presents to students’ well-being. Complete dependence on AI can be very harmful for students as it can ruin their creativity. While it must be easy and time-saving to use AI for every small question we have, we cannot forget that the real beauty of being a human lies in our ability to critically think and express ourselves.

Social isolation is another issue that arises with the use of AI. There was a time when students felt the need to spend hours with their teachers, friends and peers for learning and discussions. However, with the increased use of AI, students are now more and more reliant on ChatGPT for answering all their questions. This lack of interpersonal communication can lead to social isolation, lack of emotional and social intelligence in students – which are all very important aspects of education as well.

Students are busy with robotic prototypes Courtesy

Now more than ever, student wellbeing is paramount, and with technology like Artificial Intelligence taking such great leaps, it could turn into a concern any time soon. Children must receive an education that enables them to be self-reflective and emotional as well as creative thinkers. This means AI must be adopted in a deliberate way and with a comprehensive strategy.

Everyone from parents to educators and other concerned parties must come up with an effective plan to integrate technology into the classroom while also addressing the problems that are bound to come with the use of AI. Primary and secondary schools and universities are now changing their curriculum to incorporate more project-based methods of teaching, which are enhanced with the use of technology but without compromising the creative and emotional skills children possess. Students must also learn about the ethical side and the restraints that AI has. But most importantly, the AI tools that educational institutions will utilize must offer the students a guaranteed improvement in their mental health, physical health, inclusivity, and moral standards.

Many schools around the world nowadays are already rejecting the archaic methods of teaching and focusing on more modern ways. Of late, many countries including China, Korea, India and the United Arab Emirates, have taken steps to integrate elements of AI into the curriculum. Some countries like Singapore are also setting up research centres in collaboration with higher education institutions to enhance quality. Even in Bangladesh, many schools are trying to adopt AI for better learning outcomes. For example, AI has become a part of everyone’s life at Glenrich International School as they have been slowly trying to teach their students how to use AI in the right way effectively. More educational institutions need to focus on developing digital and AI literacy.

On this International Day of Education, let’s focus on the challenges of incorporating AI into the education system. Let’s ponder how educators can leverage the power of AI to make sure that learners blush and bloom in the highly competitive world.

Dhiraj S Dabi is Head of Department - AI and Robotics, Glenrich International School Satarkul, Dhaka​

 

[Saif]

What is the hype around DeepSeek?

In the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI), a new player has emerged, shaking up the industry and unsettling the balance of power in global tech. DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, is generating considerable buzz for its cost-effective innovation and potential to rival leading...

www.thedailystar.net

What is the hype around DeepSeek?

DeepSeek - AI Assistant in Google Play Store. Image: Tech & Startup Desk.

In the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI), a new player has emerged, shaking up the industry and unsettling the balance of power in global tech. DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, is generating considerable buzz for its cost-effective innovation and potential to rival leading Western companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. However, its rise is not without controversy, raising questions about the ethics and economic repercussions of its approach.

What is DeepSeek?

Founded in 2023, DeepSeek is a startup from Hangzhou founded by an engineering graduate Liang Wenfeng. After the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT, many Chinese firms tried to create their own AI powered chatbots but ultimately failed to meet user expectations. However, the appreciation around DeepSeek is different. The company recently received wide recognition in the US tech industry for creating an advanced AI model with the 'DeepSeek - AI assistant' app reaching the top charts in US Apple app store and Google Play store.

DeepSeek has positioned itself as a formidable competitor in the AI race, particularly with the recent launch of its R1 and V3 models. According to a recent report by The Verge, the company claims to have developed its open source V3 LLM model with a budget of less than $6 million and just 2,000 Nvidia chips—a fraction of the resources utilised by western counterparts like OpenAI which reportedly used over 16,000 chips. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman claimed that the development for GPT-4 cost over $100 million.

According to a post on DeepSeek's official WeChat account, with the launch of its R1 model, DeepSeek is 20 to 50 times cheaper to use than OpenAI o1 model, depending on the task.

A threat to western dominance

DeepSeek's rapid progress has sparked alarm among Western tech giants and investors alike. Its ability to achieve results with limited resources challenges the prevailing notion that success in AI development is solely a function of capital and computational power. This has prompted a reevaluation of investment strategies across the industry, with other tech giants scrambling to adjust.

Nvidia, the chip manufacturer, had its shares plunging by more than 13 percent. Moreover, Dutch chipmaker ASML also fell more than 10 percent, AI investor SoftBank fell more than 8%, while Tokyo Electron slipped 4.9% according to a recent report by Business Insider.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 declined on 27 January, with technology stocks experiencing a sharp drop of 4.5%. Notably, Germany's Siemens Energy—an AI infrastructure hardware provider—plunged nearly 20%, and France's digital automation firm Schneider Electric saw a 9% decrease. These losses mirrored declines in Asian markets, where Japanese chipmakers Disco and Advantest, a supplier to Nvidia, fell by 1.8% and 8.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, in the US, Nasdaq 100 futures dropped 2.6%, and S&P 500 futures slid 1.4% according to a recent report by The Guardian.

While the technology behind DeepSeek's models is being celebrated, its success has geopolitical implications. It represents not only a technological shift but also a broader challenge to western dominance in AI research and development. The prospect of China gaining a significant foothold in this domain has further fuelled tensions in the ongoing tech rivalry between the US and China.

In a recent update, DeepSeek announced on 27 January that it would temporarily restrict new registrations due to "large-scale malicious attacks" on its software.

DeepSeek's rise also coincides with the US imposing restrictions on the sale of advanced chip technology essential for powering AI to China. To keep progressing without a steady flow of imported chips, Chinese AI developers have been sharing their research and testing alternative approaches. This collaboration has led to the creation of AI models that consume significantly less computing power. As a result, these models are now far more affordable than previously anticipated, potentially disrupting the entire industry.

The rise of DeepSeek marks a pivotal moment in the AI industry. Its disruptive approach has already reshaped the narrative around AI development, proving that innovation is not solely the domain of well-funded tech behemoths. As the company continues to expand, the world will be watching closely to see how it navigates the complex intersection of technology, ethics, and geopolitics.​

 

[Saif]

DeepSeek hit by outages as users flock to Chinese AI startup

The company resolved issues relating to its application programming interface and users' inability to log in to the website, according to its status page

www.thedailystar.net

DeepSeek hit by outages as users flock to Chinese AI startup

Chinese startup DeepSeek was on Monday hit by outages on its website after its AI assistant became the top-rated free application available on Apple's App Store in the United States.

The company resolved issues relating to its application programming interface and users' inability to log in to the website, according to its status page. The outages on Monday were the company's longest in around 90 days and coincides with its sky-rocketing popularity.

Powered by the DeepSeek-V3 model, which its creators say "tops the leaderboard among open-source models and rivals the most advanced closed-source models globally", the artificial intelligence application has surged in popularity among US users since it was released on Jan. 10, according to app data research firm Sensor Tower.

The milestone highlights how DeepSeek has left a deep impression on Silicon Valley, upending widely held views about US primacy in AI and the effectiveness of Washington's export controls targeting China's advanced chip and AI capabilities.

AI models from ChatGPT to DeepSeek require advanced chips to power their training. The Biden administration has since 2021 widened the scope of bans designed to stop these chips from being exported to China and used to train Chinese firms' AI models.

However, DeepSeek researchers wrote in a paper last month that the DeepSeek-V3 used Nvidia's H800 chips for training, spending less than $6 million.

Although this detail has since been disputed, the claim that the chips used were less powerful than the most advanced Nvidia products Washington has sought to keep out of China, as well as the relatively cheap training costs, has prompted US tech executives to question the effectiveness of tech export controls.

What we strive to do is to show to the world that flying V is a viable alternative to the Cuban wing airplane that we're flying with now and it can be as safe but much more energy efficient.

Little is known about the company behind DeepSeek, a small Hangzhou-based startup founded in 2023, when search engine giant Baidu released the first Chinese AI large-language model.

Since then, dozens of Chinese tech companies large and small have released their own AI models, but DeepSeek is the first to be praised by the US tech industry as matching or even surpassing the performance of cutting-edge US models.​

 

[Saif]

Utilising AI in Bangladesh’s RMG sector

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers immense potential to transform Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector

www.thedailystar.net

Utilising AI in Bangladesh’s RMG sector

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers immense potential to transform Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) sector, enabling enhanced productivity, improved quality, and sustainable practices, while simultaneously addressing inefficiencies, streamlining processes, and increasing competitiveness. AI-powered systems can revolutionise the production process by enabling real-time monitoring and optimising factory operations. Machines equipped with AI can predict potential failures in equipment, cutting costly downtime and ensuring uninterrupted production. Additionally, AI-driven robotics can assist in repetitive tasks such as fabric-cutting, stitching, and packaging, reducing the time and cost associated with human labour. Human errors will also be minimised leading to the overall improvement of product quality.

Besides, AI technologies, such as image recognition systems, can inspect RMG products with precision, detecting flaws in stitching, colour or patterns. By ensuring that only high quality products reach international buyers, these systems can help safeguard Bangladesh's reputation as a reliable supplier. This technological edge can play a pivotal role in retaining the existing customer base and attracting new ones in an increasingly quality-conscious market.

AI-powered analytics can also provide real-time insights into supply chain dynamics, allowing manufacturers to predict disruptions and make data-driven decisions. For instance, if a delay in raw material shipments is anticipated, AI tools can recommend alternative suppliers, ensuring that production schedules remain intact. By forecasting demand more accurately, manufacturers can also avoid overproduction and manage inventory efficiently, reducing waste and aligning with just-in-time manufacturing principles.

Furthermore, AI can contribute to sustainable practices by optimising resource usage, such as calculating fabric layouts to minimise waste or monitoring energy and water consumption in factories. These measures will reduce environmental impact and also appeal to global buyers, who are increasingly seeking eco-friendly products.

In addition to streamlining operations, AI has the potential to transform customer engagement. By analysing consumer behaviour, AI tools can identify trends and preferences, enabling manufacturers to design products tailored to market demands. AI-powered online platforms can enhance the shopping experience, offering personalised recommendations and improving customer satisfaction. These innovations can help Bangladeshi manufacturers establish stronger connections with international buyers and boost sales.

Worker safety and productivity are other areas where AI could bring about meaningful change. AI-driven sensors can monitor factory conditions, detecting hazards such as gas leaks or structural vulnerabilities and ensuring swift action to prevent accidents. Wearable AI devices can track worker health and performance, providing data to improve workplace safety and efficiency, as well as protecting workers and creating a more productive and motivated workforce.

Using AI technologies, manufacturers can make Bangladeshi garment products more competitive in global markets and attract foreign investment, as international brands increasingly prioritise partnerships with technologically advanced suppliers. However, the road to AI integration is not without challenges. One of the most significant concerns is the potential for job displacement, particularly among low-skilled workers who form the backbone of the industry. Automation of repetitive tasks could lead to reduced demand for manual labour, raising fears about unemployment in a sector that provides livelihoods to millions. Addressing this issue requires a proactive approach, including the implementation of reskilling programmes to prepare workers for technology-driven roles. By equipping the workforce with new skills, the industry can create opportunities for employment in areas such as data analysis, programming, and machine maintenance.

Another challenge is the high cost of adopting AI technologies, which includes expenses for equipment, software, and training. For smaller manufacturers, these upfront investments may seem prohibitive. Government support in the form of subsidies, tax breaks, and low-interest loans could play a crucial role in making AI adoption more accessible. Policymakers must also establish a regulatory framework to encourage research and development in AI applications tailored to the needs of the RMG sector. However, while using AI technologies, manufacturers must ensure that robust safeguards are in place to protect sensitive information, both within their operations and in customer interactions. Building trust in the technology is essential for its widespread adoption.

Resistance to change is another hurdle that must be overcome. Many stakeholders in the RMG sector may be unfamiliar with AI or sceptical of its benefits. Demonstrating the tangible advantages of AI through pilot projects and success stories can help build confidence and encourage broader adoption.

The path forward requires a collaborative effort between the government, industry stakeholders, and technology providers. Policymakers must create an enabling environment through supportive policies and incentives, while manufacturers need to invest in upskilling their workforce and exploring partnerships with technology firms. A phased approach to AI integration, starting with pilot projects and gradual scale-up, can help mitigate risks and ensure a smooth transition.

Mostafiz Uddin is the managing director of Denim Expert Limited. He is also the founder and CEO of Bangladesh Denim Expo and Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE).​

 

[Saif]

AI strategy for Bangladesh

ARGUABLY, all socio-economic development has been driven by Intellectual Property and Operating System. When IP touches masses it morphs into OS in a transformative way — OS changes and touches lives on a global scale. OS opens the door for many new IP and fosters innovations and creativity for...

www.newagebd.net

AI strategy for Bangladesh
Shah Yunus and Habib Siddiqui 28 January, 2025, 00:00

ARGUABLY, all socio-economic development has been driven by Intellectual Property and Operating System. When IP touches masses it morphs into OS in a transformative way — OS changes and touches lives on a global scale. OS opens the door for many new IP and fosters innovations and creativity for the masses, improving quality of life and creating assets.

The earliest of IP and related OS emerged from ‘stone tools,’ ‘creating and managing fire,’ ‘creation of language,’ ‘mastering various metals,’ ‘organised agriculture,’ ‘domesticated animals,’ and the lists continue. These early IPs and transcendental OS shaped early humanity and created the foundation of the modern world. Those early human successes helped bring about the key world-changing transcendental IP and OS as Industry 1.0 (steam engine), Industry 2.0 (electricity), Industry 3.0 (transistor, microelectronics), Industry 4.0 (digital/network), and now Industry 5.0 (AI/cognitive).

Each of those revolutions began with proprietary innovations that spread through standardisation and became essential infrastructure, transforming into societal OSs and creating winners and losers, highlighting the technological and economic inequalities resulting in a multi-tier world.

Now the idea about the emergence of AI (artificial intelligence) dominating the world is to leverage it fully to bridge the gaps between the negative pathologies of the present-day multi-tier world. Here are some of the key benefits that we must master and leverage wholeheartedly to gain a leading seat in the future world:

Benefits of AI in Bangladesh

AS PART of task automation, AI can automate routine tasks, reducing the need for human intervention and increasing efficiency. AI algorithms can optimise business processes, supply chains, and logistics, saving time and resources.

AI can process and analyse large volumes of data quickly, providing insights that would be impossible for humans to discern manually. AI supports better decision-making by providing accurate predictions and data-driven recommendations.

AI can assist in diagnosing diseases more accurately and rapidly than traditional methods. AI enables the development of personalised treatment plans based on individual patient data.

AI can increase productivity in various industries, leading to economic growth. While AI may automate some jobs, it also creates new job opportunities in tech and other sectors.

AI can personalise user experiences in services such as e-commerce, entertainment, and education. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants provide 24/7 customer service, improving customer satisfaction.

AI can enhance security through advanced surveillance systems capable of detecting anomalies. AI algorithms can detect and respond to cyber threats more efficiently than traditional methods.

AI can accelerate research in fields like pharmaceuticals, material science, and environmental science. AI fosters innovation by enabling the rapid prototyping and testing of new ideas. AI can tailor educational content to individual learning styles and pace, improving outcomes. AI-powered tools can help people develop new skills and adapt to changing job markets.

AI can optimise the use of natural resources and reduce waste. AI can model and predict climate change impacts, aiding in mitigation and adaptation strategies.

AI provides assistive technologies for people with disabilities, enhancing their independence and quality of life. AI-powered translation services break down language barriers, facilitating global communication.

AI is key to developing self-driving cars, which could reduce accidents and improve traffic flow. AI enables the creation of smart cities with efficient public transportation, energy use, and waste management.

AI can generate music, art, and literature, offering new forms of creative expression. AI curates personalised content for users based on their preferences and habits.

AI helps in precision agriculture, optimising crop yields and reducing environmental impact. AI improves the food supply chain, from production to distribution, enhancing food security.

AI powers social media algorithms that connect people with similar interests across the globe. AI enhances online shopping experiences with recommendation systems and predictive search.

In summary, Industry 5.0 and associated AI have the potential to bring about significant improvements in every aspect of our lives, and we must devote every resource to make it our own winning strategy.

Bangladesh has largely missed the benefits of the first four industrial revolutions, and we must not miss the Industry 5.0 boat.

Need for an AI institute

A DEDICATED Bangladesh AI Institute to spearhead the development and application of AI technologies across various sectors is a must. The government must ensure that every action and decision in Bangladesh is informed and improved by data and intelligence. Scope to apply AI and data-driven approaches across all sectors, including private and public, for-profit and non-profit, healthcare, finance, administration, education, infrastructure, and more, should be created. The government should consider investing in education to develop AI literacy and skills among the population, starting from early education through to higher learning and professional development. A robust digital infrastructure to support AI technologies, including mobile networks, data centres, and cloud services, should also be considered. To utilise AI in healthcare for better diagnostics, telemedicine, and predictive analytics to improve health outcomes, the health sector stakeholders must revisit existing policies. It is important to foster an AI startup ecosystem and support AI applications in agriculture, manufacturing, and other economic sectors to drive growth. For environmental management, deploying AI could help facilitate efficient resource management, environmental monitoring, and energy optimisation. The government should explore developing AI-driven defence capabilities and cybersecurity measures to protect national interests and infrastructure.

These prescriptions are aimed at enabling Bangladesh to catch up with and potentially lead in the global transition to Industry 5.0, leveraging AI and cognitive technologies to drive development and reduce the technological gap with more advanced economies.

Dr Shah Yunus has been a software architect and computational science expert for over 40 years; and Dr Habib Siddiqui is a peace and human rights activist who lives in the United States.​

 

[Saif]

What is DeepSeek, and why is Nvidia losing billions because of it?

In the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI), a new player has emerged, shaking up the industry and unsettling the balance of power in global tech. DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, is generating considerable buzz for its cost-effective innovation and potential to rival leading...

www.thedailystar.net

What is DeepSeek, and why is Nvidia losing billions because of it?

DeepSeek - AI Assistant in Google Play Store. Image: Md. Zahidur Rabbi.

In the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI), a new player has emerged, shaking up the industry and unsettling the balance of power in global tech. DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, is generating considerable buzz for its cost-effective innovation and potential to rival leading Western companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. It has also been the leading cause behind Nvidia's monumental market cap plunge on January 27 - with the leading AI chip company losing 17% of its market share, equating to $589 billion in market cap drop, making it the largest single-day loss in US stock market history.

However, despite being an overnight success, DeepSeek's rise is not without controversy, raising questions about the ethics and economic repercussions of its approach. Let's take a look at what this Chinese AI startup is and what the hype around it is all about.

What is DeepSeek?

Founded in 2023, DeepSeek is a startup from Hangzhou founded by an engineering graduate Liang Wenfeng. After the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT, many Chinese firms tried to create their own AI powered chatbots but ultimately failed to meet user expectations. However, the appreciation around DeepSeek is different. The company recently received wide recognition in the US tech industry for creating an advanced AI model with the 'DeepSeek - AI assistant' app reaching the top charts in US Apple app store and Google Play store.

DeepSeek has positioned itself as a formidable competitor in the AI race, particularly with the recent launch of its R1 and V3 models. According to a recent report by The Verge, the company claims to have developed its open source V3 LLM model with a budget of less than $6 million and just 2,000 Nvidia chips—a fraction of the resources utilised by western counterparts like OpenAI which reportedly used over 16,000 chips. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman claimed that the development for GPT-4 cost over $100 million.

According to a post on DeepSeek's official WeChat account, with the launch of its R1 model, DeepSeek is 20 to 50 times cheaper to use than OpenAI o1 model, depending on the task.

A threat to western dominance

DeepSeek's rapid progress has sparked alarm among Western tech giants and investors alike. Its ability to achieve results with limited resources challenges the prevailing notion that success in AI development is solely a function of capital and computational power. This has prompted a reevaluation of investment strategies across the industry, with other tech giants scrambling to adjust.

Nvidia, the chip manufacturer, had its shares plunging by more than 13 percent. Moreover, Dutch chipmaker ASML also fell more than 10 percent, AI investor SoftBank fell more than 8%, while Tokyo Electron slipped 4.9% according to a recent report by Business Insider.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 declined on 27 January, with technology stocks experiencing a sharp drop of 4.5%. Notably, Germany's Siemens Energy—an AI infrastructure hardware provider—plunged nearly 20%, and France's digital automation firm Schneider Electric saw a 9% decrease. These losses mirrored declines in Asian markets, where Japanese chipmakers Disco and Advantest, a supplier to Nvidia, fell by 1.8% and 8.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, in the US, Nasdaq 100 futures dropped 2.6%, and S&P 500 futures slid 1.4% according to a recent report by The Guardian.

While the technology behind DeepSeek's models is being celebrated, its success has geopolitical implications. It represents not only a technological shift but also a broader challenge to western dominance in AI research and development. The prospect of China gaining a significant foothold in this domain has further fuelled tensions in the ongoing tech rivalry between the US and China.

In a recent update, DeepSeek announced on 27 January that it would temporarily restrict new registrations due to "large-scale malicious attacks" on its software.

DeepSeek's rise also coincides with the US imposing restrictions on the sale of advanced chip technology essential for powering AI to China. To keep progressing without a steady flow of imported chips, Chinese AI developers have been sharing their research and testing alternative approaches. This collaboration has led to the creation of AI models that consume significantly less computing power. As a result, these models are now far more affordable than previously anticipated, potentially disrupting the entire industry.

The rise of DeepSeek marks a pivotal moment in the AI industry. Its disruptive approach has already reshaped the narrative around AI development, proving that innovation is not solely the domain of well-funded tech behemoths. As the company continues to expand, the world will be watching closely to see how it navigates the complex intersection of technology, ethics, and geopolitics.​

 

[Saif]

The DeepSeek Shockwave: Is the global AI capital steadily shifting to China?

Beijing’s mastery of AI-powered robotics, machine learning, and deep learning technologies have been demonstrated through several successful missions.

www.thedailystar.net

The DeepSeek Shockwave: Is the global AI capital steadily shifting to China?
Battle for AI supremacy heats up

DeepSeek's stunning cost efficiency starkly contrasts the exorbitant expenditures typically associated with US tech giants. FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

In one of the most dramatic shifts in the tech industry, the recent release of DeepSeek's R1, an open-source artificial intelligence (AI) reasoning model, sent shockwaves through the US tech giants, wiping more than $1 trillion off the markets. Stalwarts like Nvidia witnessed stock drops by as much as $500 billion (17 percent). The DeepSeek model, originating from a small Hangzhou-based startup, was developed at a fraction of the cost incurred by its US counterparts like OpenAI. This event signifies China's growing prowess in AI, challenging Western tech giants' long-standing dominance.

Despite stringent US export restrictions on advanced technologies, Chinese inventors showed tenacity and resilience in the burgeoning AI landscape. Companies like Huawei and YMTC underscore China's progress towards creating faster and more efficient chips. This steady climb emphasises how they circumvent Washington's restrictions by fostering high domestic productivity and innovation. The critical question is: are US export restrictions futile, merely strengthening Beijing's resolve to upend US tech dominance, similar to the development of its global satellite navigation system BeiDou?

DeepSeek's stunning cost efficiency starkly contrasts the exorbitant expenditures typically associated with US tech giants. This comes as welcome news when the conventional AI models are so power-hungry and require so much water to keep them cool that their sustainability is a concern, questioning the high-cost models and their long-term viability in a marketplace increasingly influenced by cost-efficient solutions. China's strategic focus on AI and related technologies has also made significant progress across various domains, from natural language processing to autonomous vehicles.

As the efficacy of the export controls is being questioned, evidence suggests mixed results. On the one hand, DeepSeek's accomplishment demonstrates that stringent measures do not entirely curtail innovation and may instead stimulate more. Conversely, the United States's steadfast imposition of export controls underscores the intimate relationship between national security and technological supremacy. The efficacy of these measures is further complicated by the global nature of talent migration, which sees leading experts from the West moving to China.

China's allure isn't limited to technological advancements but extends to attracting top-tier talent from all over. For instance, leading cancer scientist Sun Shao-Cong returned to China amid US investigations, while French Nobel-winning laser scientist Gérard Mourou joined China's top university. Additionally, respected mathematician Kenji Fukaya left the US for China's Tsinghua University, and award-winning mathematician Ma Xiaonan departed Europe for China. Other notable examples include prominent British physicist Prof Zhang Yonghao, who joined China's national hypersonic laboratory in Beijing, and global climate expert Chen Deliang, who returned to China after decades in Europe. Award-winning mathematician Wang Xujia also returned to China after a long career in Australia. These moves highlight a significant trend: China's growing attractiveness as a cutting-edge research and innovation hub.

The journey to build advanced semiconductor chips without ASML's state-of-the-art extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines exemplifies China's inventive spirit. Chinese scientists are pioneering alternative methods that bypass these restrictions. One breakthrough involves the laser-induced discharge plasma (LDP) method, a process that generates EUV light using laser vaporisation of tin and high-voltage discharge. This innovation, spearheaded by Prof Zhao Yongpeng at the Harbin Institute of Technology, is cost-effective and energy-efficient. The strategic collaborations with institutions like the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Tsinghua University further enhance these efforts.

Additionally, Chinese companies are leveraging deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines to make sophisticated chips. Techniques such as self-aligned quadruple patterning (SAQP) allow for the etching of lines on silicon wafers multiple times, increasing transistor density and chip performance. This approach underscores Chinese innovation and highlights the country's determination to overcome import dependencies and US-imposed restrictions.

China's recent successful space missions, such as the Chang'e 5 lunar sample return and the Tianwen-1 Mars mission, undeniably showcase the country's burgeoning capabilities in advanced chip production and other related technologies. These complex endeavours require sophisticated autonomous navigation and control systems, advanced image recognition for terrain mapping and object identification, and real-time data analysis to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. The successful execution of these missions demonstrates Beijing's mastery of AI-powered robotics, machine learning, and deep learning technologies, solidifying its position as a leading force in the global AI landscape.

So, the question is: are we witnessing a steady shift of the global AI capital to China?

Washington would hate to see that happen, as President Donald Trump has allocated $500 billion to AI research and development to ensure continued US dominance in the AI arena. This only follows his predecessor's tactics without giving it strategic thought. The Biden administration had made the race for chip manufacturing a top priority by offering $53 billion to the industry. Four years later, his Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said, "Trying to hold China back is a fool's errand." That gamble failed. Will President Trump's work?

Dr Sayeed Ahmed is a consulting engineer and the CEO of Bayside Analytix, a technology-focused strategy and management consulting organisation.​

 

[Saif]

Will AI push us towards isolation and lost creativity?

By the way, this writing is solely mine. I didn’t seek any assistance from AI. Do you write in your own words?

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Will AI push us towards isolation and lost creativity?

These days the lines between the humans and the machines are fast blurring, thanks to AI. VISUAL: REHNUMA PROSHOON

Last year, a mother from Florida filed a lawsuit against an artificial intelligence chatbot, which she believed was responsible for the death of her 14-year-old son. The teenager fell head over heels in love with the chatbot. As he spent more time chatting, he slowly started withdrawing from his family and the social life around him. Low self-esteem triggered by isolation and the inability to fit in one day led him to tell the chatbot of his desire to commit suicide. And? The chatbot sort of tacitly encouraged him to do so. It immaculately emulated human emotions. But it couldn't stop him from harming himself. A costly logical error?

These days the lines between the humans and the machines are fast blurring, thanks to AI. Machines are learning, and we are relentlessly teaching. There are college courses now on how to help them learn even better. As the world gets more complex every day and time becomes more valuable, personal relationships are taking a major hit. Machines are becoming more than friends. Is the race on to make humans more like machines, or to make machines replace us? Machines can do so much in such a short time that we can be rendered almost useless in a jiffy. There are even talks about a universal pay system because many of us may not get much paid work opportunity in the future.

AI now has the ability to judge us in many instances. In a recent incident, one of my son's teachers pointed out that his assignment had been flagged by AI as being eerily similar to a newspaper article. It turned out the article in question had actually been written by none other than him. The teacher had just trusted the AI in jumping to a conclusion. The teacher realised what happened, smiled, and let him go.

I get it. With the advent of AI, life is becoming much easier for us. When I try to shop online, a chatbot seems to know more about what I want than I do myself. It rapidly whisks me to the possible product I may be after. That saves me a ton of time. This is so great that it makes going to a brick-and-mortar store so passé. When I call customer service about issues with a product, a chatbot, lurking in between, intercepts me and tries to provide a solution before I can get to a live person. Getting to a live person on the other side when the issue needs human intervention is often harder nowadays. On other occasions, AI can help just fine.

If I am time-constrained in today's busy world, AI not only makes my life easier but does almost all the things a human can; then how much human interaction do I really need?

Just a few days ago, an elderly lady thought she was getting into a taxi with a driver in it, only to realise, to her dismay, that the car was actually driving itself. It surely scared the living daylights out of her. Forget the driving part. The human interaction that could have given her comfort and a sense of companionship seems to be disappearing soon.

AI, a boon to humanity, is the future, and it is going to solve numerous problems in the years to come. But on the flip side, there are inherent risks because of the high likelihood of not being able to teach the models adequately. After all, it's not easy to fully mimic humans under all circumstances. A human would have tried to talk the American teenager out of dying by suicide. But the AI chatbot failed. On top of that, there is always the risk of rogue actors using it for ulterior motives.

Then there is the issue of imagination, the area where we can uniquely identify ourselves. AI is supposed to do many amazing things, but it seems to be taking this power away from humans. AI can now write very creatively using unbounded human imagination. So much so that many people would rather express themselves through AI. As AI evolves, its emotion spectrum will likely broaden to closely resemble that of humans. One day the machines may become smart enough to modify their own code, extricating themselves fully from human control. That scenario may pit us against them.

Don't get me wrong. I am all for the innovations and advancements in AI. In many areas, it will cut down time significantly, resulting in higher productivity. I know I will adopt many new exciting AI offerings. But I dread the increasing irrelevance of the human mind and intellect. AI is doing a great job making our lives easier, sometimes even loads of fun, enhancing possibilities, but it is also slowly taking over some of the tasks that we love to do every day, not just to stay relevant, but also to express ourselves in our own way. I love to write an email myself or describe my feelings in my own words. When I see a writing by AI, I have a hard time understanding the person it came from. Are we shunning human interactions more and more? Are we losing our capacity to make decisions for ourselves? Are we married to AI to a point where our creativity and judgment are rendered worthless, and where we no longer crave in-person interactions?

AI chatbots are also being positioned to provide therapy for mental anguish or depression. But what if they offer a dangerous path, the one I mentioned above? Would that instance be considered an isolated logical malfunction?

I am not hopelessly pessimistic, though. I marvel at human abilities. It is my belief that technology can never be boxed in. It's like the "genie out of the bottle" phenomenon. If there is a new one, it will certainly come out. AI will evolve and will be pervasive. That is a good thing when used by the good, but it can be devastating when used by the bad. There should be guardrails around it, and we should be careful with the amount of personal data we are ready to sacrifice that can be fed to the AI models. Although it excites me, I remain concerned about our future as human beings. While I embrace the new developments in generative AI to make my life easier, I want to retain my ability to express my thoughts in ways that only I know how to. I want to be relevant going forward.

By the way, this writing is solely mine. I didn't seek any assistance from AI. Do you write in your own words?

Arif Shahjahan is an IT (Information Technology) professional currently working in the United States.​

 

[Saif]

Unleashing AI for enhancing global competitiveness

In today's rapidly evolving global landscape, competitiveness is defined by the capacity to innovate, adapt, and effectively leverage technology. At the forefront of this technological revolution is artificial intelligence (AI), which holds the potential to transform industries, boost productivity,

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Unleashing AI for enhancing global competitiveness
Manmohan Parkash
Published :
Jan 20, 2025 21:31
Updated :
Jan 20, 2025 21:31

In today's rapidly evolving global landscape, competitiveness is defined by the capacity to innovate, adapt, and effectively leverage technology. At the forefront of this technological revolution is artificial intelligence (AI), which holds the potential to transform industries, boost productivity, and reshape decision-making processes. To secure economic dominance on the global stage, nations must act swiftly to harness AI's capabilities responsibly and strategically.

AI AS A CATALYST FOR INNOVATION: Innovation is a key pillar of global competitiveness, and AI is set to redefine how industries approach research, development, and design. By analyzing vast datasets in real-time, AI can uncover patterns and insights that humans alone could never identify. This capability accelerates the pace of innovation across critical sectors like pharmaceuticals, engineering, and energy. AI-powered systems can simulate chemical reactions to identify new materials or analyze genetic data to expedite drug discovery, reducing time to market for life-saving solutions.

Countries investing in AI-driven innovation will bolster their technological sectors and will also create new industries, high-quality jobs, and solutions to pressing global challenges such as climate change and pandemics. In contrast, nations that fall behind in AI adoption risk losing their competitive edge as others surge ahead, capitalizing on these advancements to dominate the global market.

BOOSTING WORKFORCE PRODUCTIVITY: At the core of any nation's competitiveness is the productivity of its workforce. AI offers transformative potential in enhancing human capabilities. By automating routine tasks and optimizing workflows, AI frees up workers to focus on higher-value, more creative endeavors. In sectors like manufacturing, AI-driven systems can streamline production, minimize waste, and predict maintenance needs, boosting operational efficiency. In services, AI-powered tools such as chatbots and virtual assistants can handle customer inquiries and routine transactions, empowering human workers to tackle more complex and rewarding tasks.

Importantly, AI does not simply replace jobs-it enhances them. Workers can collaborate with AI to address critical issues, solve complex problems, and drive innovation. To maintain a competitive edge, countries must invest in AI workforce tools and training programs that enable employees to thrive in an AI-enhanced environment. Countries and businesses that fail to do so risk being left behind by competitors who are better prepared to integrate AI into their workforce strategies.

DATA-DRIVEN DECISION MAKING FOR EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE: In the modern world, the ability to make well-informed, data-driven decisions is essential for effective governance. AI provides powerful tools for analyzing complex, multi-dimensional data sets, offering actionable insights that can guide policymaking. From economic planning to public health, AI can help governments predict trends, optimize resource allocation, and assess the impact of public programs.

Countries that adopt AI in policymaking will gain an unparalleled agility in responding to emerging challenges, whether economic, political, or environmental. AI's ability to process vast amounts of data quickly ensures that nations can make timely, strategic decisions that enhance governance and improve outcomes for their citizens. In a highly interconnected world, those that embrace AI-driven decision-making will gain an edge in international negotiations and trade agreements, enhancing their global competitiveness.

STRENGTHENING GLOBAL TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAINS: AI's impact extends to global trade and supply chains, where efficiency and resilience are critical. With increasing global interdependence, supply chains must be agile enough to respond to disruptions such as economic shifts or natural disasters. AI-driven technologies enable businesses to predict demand fluctuations, identify potential bottlenecks, and optimise logistics, ensuring smoother and more cost-effective operations.

By leveraging AI, countries and businesses can reduce inefficiencies, lower costs, and improve the speed and reliability of deliveries. In a competitive global market, those able to swiftly and efficiently meet consumer demands will gain a significant advantage. AI-powered supply chain management systems allow companies to be more adaptable, mitigate risks, and stay ahead of market changes, ensuring that they remain competitive in a rapidly changing world.

ENHANCING INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION AND DIPLOMACY: The benefits of AI are not confined to national borders. Through international collaboration in AI research and development, countries can tackle complex global challenges more effectively. Cross-border partnerships in AI allow nations to pool resources, share knowledge, and accelerate advancements in areas such as public health, climate change, and cybersecurity.

Furthermore, AI can play a critical role in diplomacy by facilitating communication between nations. AI-powered translation and communication tools help break down language barriers, enabling more effective diplomatic exchanges. Countries that strategically use AI for global collaboration and diplomatic engagement will be better positioned to lead in international affairs, fostering stronger relationships and cooperation on the world stage.

STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IN AI: To unlock AI's full potential and ensure global competitiveness, nations must make strategic investments in infrastructure, education, and policy. This includes funding AI research and development, establishing ethical regulations around AI usage, and preparing the workforce for an AI-driven economy. Public-private partnerships will be crucial in accelerating innovation and ensuring the benefits of AI are widely distributed.

The nations that lead in AI adoption will set the pace for future global competitiveness, shaping industries, economies, and societies for years to come. Countries that fail to prioritize AI risk being unable to compete in an increasingly AI-driven world.

In conclusion, AI is not merely a tool for automation-it is a fundamental driver of global competitiveness. By unleashing AI's potential, nations can position themselves as leaders in innovation, productivity, and global trade. The race to harness AI is already underway, and the countries that act decisively to integrate AI into their economies and societies will determine the future of global power and prosperity. The time to invest in AI is now-those who seize this opportunity will shape the world of tomorrow.

Manmohan Parkash is a former Senior Advisor, Office of the President, and Deputy Director General, South Asia, Asian Development Bank (ADB).​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh must seize AI opportunities amidst global rivalry

The rivalry between America and China regarding artificial intelligence (AI) is growing

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Bangladesh must seize AI opportunities amidst global rivalry

PHOTO: REUTERS

The rivalry between America and China regarding artificial intelligence (AI) is growing, with both nations significantly investing in the technology. Historically, AI development has been dominated by America, but China is closing in at a rapid pace. One such example is the emergence of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup that has created AI models capable of competing with those from the Silicon Valley. DeepSeek also made their product accessible through an open-source model. This competition has profound implications for technology, economies, and politics worldwide.

Bangladesh—a developing economy, must strategically position itself in the AI race to fully harness its potential for technological transformation, economic growth, and innovation.

The competition between America and China

The US holds a dominant position in AI development, commercialisation, and research worldwide. Leading US-based tech companies—such as OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Meta have pioneered AI development, creating models like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Llama. Recognising AI's strategic value, the US government has invested significantly in AI-driven national security and economic competition.

China got advanced AI through state-backed initiatives, focusing on industrialisation and national security applications. Tech giants like Tencent, Alibaba, and Baidu have built powerful AI models—such as ERNIE and Qwen 2.5 Max. DeepSeek challenges Silicon Valley's dominance with lower costs. As competition intensifies, countries like Bangladesh must navigate the evolving AI landscape.

Bangladesh's current AI landscape

In an effort to embrace AI, Bangladesh introduced the National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2024, which aims to guide AI development through research, education, and ethical implementation. While the policy lays a foundation for AI adoption, significant gaps remain in infrastructure, vision, and execution. The private sector and startups have shown interest in AI, but a lack of funding and computing resources remains a major hurdle.

AI is gradually being integrated into key sectors of Bangladesh's economy. In healthcare, AI-driven diagnostics and predictive analytics are being explored to improve patient outcomes. The agricultural sector is benefiting from AI-powered precision farming and pest control strategies. Financial institutions are leveraging AI for fraud detection and customer analytics, while the manufacturing industry is experimenting with automation, albeit at a relatively low scale. Despite these advancements, businesses are still having to rely on foreign AI models, which increases operational costs and limits data sovereignty.

Challenges hindering Bangladesh's AI growth

One of the biggest challenges Bangladesh faces is that without domestic AI capabilities, Bangladesh remains vulnerable to external market fluctuations and pricing structures dictated by foreign providers.

Another major hurdle is the lack of infrastructure. Bangladesh currently has no large-scale AI data centres, forcing researchers and companies to rely on expensive cloud computing services from AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. The absence of high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure slows down AI research and limits local innovation.

Additionally, Bangladesh faces a shortage of skilled AI professionals. The country's top talents tend to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities, leading to brain drain. While local universities offer AI-related courses, AI research has yet to be fully integrated into their core curriculum. Without a strong pipeline of AI-related talent, Bangladesh will struggle to build a self-sufficient AI ecosystem.

Opportunities for Bangladesh amidst the AI rivalry

Despite these challenges, Bangladesh has several opportunities to establish itself as a competitive player in this sector. One promising approach is leveraging open-source AI models such as DeepSeek's V3 and R1, Meta's Llama, Mistral, and Falcon and others. Open-source AI models offer greater flexibility, cost efficiency, and data sovereignty, reducing the country's reliance on expensive proprietary systems from global AI leaders.

Another crucial step for Bangladesh is developing its own AI foundation model trained in Bangla and regional datasets. By creating localised AI models, Bangladesh can address the needs of local businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions. A home-grown localised foundation model would enable the country to build AI applications tailored to its unique economic and linguistic landscape, reducing dependence on foreign technology.

To make these initiatives viable, investing in local AI data centres is essential. Establishing AI infrastructure would lower computing costs, making AI adoption more accessible for businesses and startups. Local AI data centres could also attract companies seeking affordable, regionally hosted AI solutions, creating new economic opportunities.

Policy recommendations for strengthening Bangladesh's AI ecosystem

To accelerate AI growth, the government must increase funding for AI research and introduce AI-specific grants and tax incentives for startups. By investing in AI innovation, Bangladesh can stimulate local development and attract foreign investment.

Educational institutions must play a crucial role in this transformation by collaborating with industry leaders to develop AI-focused research programmes. The government should also establish dedicated AI research institutions that focus on cost-effective, scalable AI solutions tailored to Bangladesh's needs.

Public-private partnerships will be key to advancing AI development. The government should foster collaboration between academia, businesses, and policymakers to create a cohesive AI ecosystem. Regulatory sandboxes should be introduced, allowing AI startups to test their models with minimal bureaucratic restrictions.

Another critical step is implementing data localisation laws to ensure that sensitive data is stored within Bangladesh, reducing security risks and enhancing data sovereignty. Additionally, strong AI governance frameworks should be developed to prevent unethical AI use and ensure responsible AI deployment.

Despite lacking AI infrastructure and skilled professionals, Bangladesh can establish a unique role in the global AI arena. This will be a technological leap with economic imperative for future competitiveness.

Rashedul Huq is research associate at North South University.​

 

[Saif]

AI is ‘biggest shift of our lifetimes’

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a “fundamental rewiring of technology” that will act as an “accelerant of human ingenuity”, Google boss Sundar Pichai will say Monday at a global AI summit in Paris.

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AI is ‘biggest shift of our lifetimes’

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a "fundamental rewiring of technology" that will act as an "accelerant of human ingenuity", Google boss Sundar Pichai will say Monday at a global AI summit in Paris.

"We're still in the early days of the AI platform shift, and yet we know it will be the biggest of our lifetimes," Pichai was to say according to excerpts from his speech to global leaders and tech industry chiefs seen by AFP.

The Google boss will highlight imminent applications for AI technology such as detecting the emergence of wildfires in satellite images, as well as announce a partnership for detecting and treating cancer with the French capital's Institut Curie.

Demis Hassabis, the head of Google's DeepMind AI research lab, also hailed the technology's potential at an event on Sunday in Google's Paris offices.

"Material science, mathematics, fusion, there is almost no area of science that won't benefit from these AI tools," the Nobel chemistry laureate said.

"With AI, we have the chance to democratise access (to a new technology) from the start, and to ensure that the digital divide doesn't become an AI divide," Pichai was to say Tuesday.

The concept of a "digital divide" refers to the gap between people with or without easy access to and familiarity with the internet and modern communications technologies.​

 

[Saif]

Paris summit grapples with real-world impact of AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) risks reinforcing gender disparities rather than immediate widespread job destruction, the International Labour Organization chief said yesterday as a summit of national leaders and tech bosses opened in Paris.

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Paris summit grapples with real-world impact of AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) risks reinforcing gender disparities rather than immediate widespread job destruction, the International Labour Organization chief said yesterday as a summit of national leaders and tech bosses opened in Paris.

Co-hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Paris summit aims to lay the groundwork for governing the nascent sector, as global powers race to play leading roles in the fast-developing technology.

At present, AI is mostly replacing humans in clerical jobs disproportionately held by women, International Labour Organization (ILO) head Gilbert Houngbo told an audience in the French capital's opulent Grand Palais.

"The category of jobs that will be automated and hence be lost could contribute to deepen the gender gap" in pay between men and women, he added.

Looking at the wider picture, "we're not too much worried (about) a massive job loss" despite widespread fears Houngbo added.

While "there will be millions of jobs that will be lost", many more will be created thanks to AI, he predicted based on current "quite positive" trends.

Nevertheless, "there is a risk of those new jobs being paid less and sometimes with much less protection" for employees, as has happened with much "gig economy" work, Houngbo said.

Political leaders, including US Vice President JD Vance and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, are set to rub shoulders with the likes of OpenAI boss Sam Altman and Google chief Sundar Pichai.

A largely suit-wearing crowd of men and women speaking languages from all over the world gathered under the glass-and-steel dome of the great hall, built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition and now decked out with screens and geodesic domes.- 'Immense hopes, exaggerated fear' -

Two years on from the emergence of OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot, "artificial intelligence fuels both immense hopes and, at times, exaggerated fear," Macron's AI envoy Anne Bouverot told guests as she opened the summit.

She promised a "turning point" that would bring more countries on board with AI, as well as more "sustainable development" of the resource- and energy-hungry technology.

Macron had on Sunday trumpeted the economic benefits of artificial intelligence, saying 109 billion euros ($113 billion) would be invested in French AI in the coming years.

That was "the equivalent for France of what the US has announced with 'Stargate'," the $500-billion US programme led by ChatGPT maker OpenAI, he added.

The technical challenges and price of entry for nations hoping to keep abreast in the AI race have become clearer in recent week​

 

[Saif]

Businesses riding the AI wave

About seven years ago, representatives of bKash would visit the company’s agent points and merchant outlets across Bangladesh to ensure that its point-of-sale and promotional materials, such as banners, posters and stickers, are properly displayed.

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Businesses riding the AI wave

Illustration: Biplob Chakroborty

About seven years ago, representatives of bKash would visit the company's agent points and merchant outlets across Bangladesh to ensure that its point-of-sale and promotional materials, such as banners, posters and stickers, are properly displayed.

These materials were essential for conveying promotional offers and other marketing messages from the country's leading mobile financial service provider.

But in 2018, bKash partnered with Intelligent Machines, an artificial intelligence (AI) company, to complete such tasks using computer vision, which is a field of AI that enables machines to analyse and interpret visual data.

Called Biponon, the service was then introduced across all of its roughly eight lakh outlets, subsequently streamlining what was once the cumbersome task of managing trade marketing and sales operations.

The results were astounding as bKash achieved a 320 percent rise in productivity, with the AI tool enabling its merchandisers or representatives to serve 585 outlets compared to 139 previously.

This is just one example of how the wave of AI, which is sweeping the world like a tsunami while also sparking geopolitical tensions, has reached the country's shores.

Following the global trend of embracing AI to reduce human intervention and improve operational efficiency, local companies have started using it for predictive maintenance, inventory management and supply chain optimisation, albeit at a slower pace.

Now, some local AI development companies are driving innovation across various industries through their products. In essence, they are developing AI-powered solutions to address challenges in areas such as business, agriculture, healthcare, finance and education.

Globally, Walmart leverages AI for forecasting demand and inventory optimisation while Amazon uses it for warehouse automation and delivery planning. In the financial sector, AI is being utilised to analyse customer behaviour and detect fraud.

Likewise, some of the leading local companies, including Unilever, Grameenphone and Banglalink, alongside startups like Pathao, and e-commerce platforms like Foodpanda and Daraz, are adopting AI to optimise operations, personalise customer experiences and enhance efficiency.

McKinsey and Company, a US-based multinational strategy and management consulting firm, said AI adoption could contribute about $13 trillion to the global GDP by 2030, with the retail, healthcare and manufacturing sectors being key beneficiaries.

By automating repetitive tasks and enabling real-time decision-making, AI reduces costs and unlocks innovative growth opportunities, reshaping global business practices.

To harness AI's potential, two types of companies have emerged worldwide: those that use AI solutions and those that build AI while some are hybridising by developing tailored AI solutions.

And Bangladesh is no exception to this ongoing transformative trend.

COMPANIES THAT EMBRACE AI

Other than using AI to streamline its point-of-sale materials, bKash also deeply integrated AI into several core business functions, particularly customer service, data management and decision-making.

"For instance, we leverage predictive modelling to gain insights into customer behaviour, which enables us to identify trends and implement adequate interventions to enhance customer experiences and retention," said Azmal Huda, chief product and technology officer of bKash.

"In customer service, intelligent AI-driven chatbots provide instant responses to common queries, streamlining service delivery and reducing operational load," he added.

bKash also leverages AI to enhance the customer experience and optimise service delivery. Its recommendation engine analyses user preferences and behaviour to suggest relevant services, increasing customer engagement and satisfaction.

AI-driven credit scoring models facilitate micro-loan services by accurately assessing creditworthiness, ensuring timely access to credit. An AI-based loyalty engine distributes loyalty points, encouraging long-term engagement and driving revenue growth. Machine learning (ML) streamlines its customer onboarding by verifying identity documents and facial data. Predictive modelling and forecasting further enable bKash to anticipate market trends and adapt its offerings accordingly.

Demand forecasting powered by AI ensures that system capacities are optimised, reducing over-provisioning and underutilisation of resources. Additionally, we employ predictive modelling and anomaly detection techniques to identify and mitigate fraud, Huda said.

"AI will be a key differentiator, enabling companies to extend next-generation financial services, such as credit access and smart saving solutions, to underserved populations, thereby driving financial inclusion and market expansion," he added.

bKash prioritises skill development through knowledge-sharing sessions and workshops, fostering innovation and empowering employees for an AI-driven future.

Banglalink, a leading mobile network operator and digital service provider, has integrated AI deeply into its operations to enhance customer experience and efficiency.

AI powers various aspects, including customer service, product development and internal processes. Generative AI chatbots provide instant and accurate support, significantly improving customer satisfaction.

The AI-driven platform RYZE offers personalised services like CV writing and profile enhancement, with more features underway. Also, the MyBL app curates relevant content, streamlining user experiences.

Besides, AI-driven data analysis enables Banglalink to segment customers, personalise offerings and optimise operations through revenue forecasting, stock predictions and credit scoring. The company also employs P.I. Works' AI-powered solutions with self-organising network (SON) capabilities to enhance network performance while reducing human error.

Looking ahead, Banglalink plans to expand AI adoption in education, health and fintech while training employees to maximise its potential, ensuring continued growth and innovation.

Unilever uses its precision marketing AI tool provided by Intelligent Machines, Fordo, to recommend personalised discounts to 2.3 million customers at about 4,500 kitchen markets all over the country.

The Unilever team has achieved successful conversion rates of 6 percent and above (often as high as 13 percent), up from 1 percent before using AI.

Unilever Bangladesh said it initially focused on software, but has now integrated AI and ML to automate key processes. Furthermore, AI-driven stock replenishment, sales strategies, and route optimisation have enhanced company efficiency. A dedicated analytics team leverages ML for market insights.

UNA, an AI-powered generative platform, supports employees by streamlining tasks, answering queries and providing quick access to essential resources, improving productivity and user experience across various functions.

British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) has taken their Bangla keyword spotting AI, Shobdo, to track and improve 5,540 sales representatives' brand message deliveries at 200,000 outlets. The team has been able to increase the effectiveness of their brand message deliveries from 15 percent to 75 percent using AI.

BATB has also taken their predictive maintenance AI, Jontro, to determine the optimum time to replace the spare parts of the factory's machines.

IDLC Finance and Prime Bank are using a financial statement analysing AI, Dharapat, to process bank statements and the central bank's Credit Information Bureau report, bringing down the critical operations turnaround time from days to minutes.

Grameenphone and Ericsson recently announced a partnership for leveraging AI to enhance telecom services and drive digital transformation in Bangladesh. Their partnership focuses on upgrading Business Support Systems with AI-powered solutions, such as intelligent usage analysis, anomaly detection and automated service management.
Robi has introduced an AI-powered distribution bot to revolutionise its supply chain, addressing challenges in serving over 55 million subscribers across Bangladesh.

Besides, AI solutions have reduced its low-balance scenarios by 25 percent and improved service reliability.

Bangladesh's largest consumer tech platform, Pathao, is also leveraging AI and custom machine learning models to streamline operations and improve user experiences across its ride-hailing, delivery and fintech platforms.

These include calculating accurate fares, estimating trip durations, suggesting destinations and optimising ride pairings. Advanced geocoding ensures efficient parcel delivery routes while AI verifies eKYC for fintech and validates content for quick commerce.

Future developments include automating customer support, enabling conversational product discovery, performing credit scoring and determining the best customer lifecycle interventions.

The manufacturing sector is also embracing AI, with companies like Akij Group adopting predictive maintenance systems to minimise machinery downtime.

Retailers like Daraz Bangladesh and Chaldal rely on AI for personalised customer recommendations and demand forecasting, streamlining inventory management. Even education is evolving: Edtech platforms like Shikho and 10 Minute School use AI to tailor learning experiences, adapting content to individual student performances. These examples highlight how Bangladeshi industries are harnessing AI to solve local problems while boosting productivity.

Walton is transforming home appliances with AI-driven innovations. Its smart refrigerators use an AI-based multiple-speed optimisation algorithm to optimise cooling and reduce energy consumption.

For example, AI-powered air conditioners learn user preferences for personalised comfort.

Meanwhile, the company's IoT-enabled electrical appliances allow users to create customised automation scenes, with the Walton Smart Appliances app enabling remote monitoring and control.

AI-BUILDING COMPANIES

With demand for AI solutions or models on the rise, AI-building companies specialising in developing AI models and solutions for various industries have bourgeoned in Bangladesh in the last few years.

These companies focus on creating custom AI tools, such as ML algorithms, computer vision systems, and natural language processing models.

Youths have taken centre stage here, founding a number of companies focused on creating AI solutions for industries such as telecommunications and security. These AI-building companies help businesses automate processes, optimise operations and improve decision-making, driving digital transformation.

Sigmind, a local startup founded in 2017, is primarily leveraging computer vision, a branch of artificial intelligence that focuses on enabling machines to interpret and analyse visual data from the real world.

It now specialises in advanced AI-driven solutions for vehicle analytics, including vehicle identification, classification, number plate recognition, and traffic and toll management systems.

"Our technology enhances transparency and security in environments such as export processing zones by automating processes like vehicle counting and access control," said Md Abu Anas Ibn Samad, founder and CEO of Sigmind.

For human analytics, Sigmind offers automated attendance systems, real-time entry monitoring, identification and access control. This eliminates the need for manual attendance processes and ensures seamless security through anomaly detection and alerts.

Sigmind has deployed its solutions across seven countries, serving governments and enterprises with a team of 18 professionals.

"We are driving AI adoption to enhance efficiency and foster development. As AI continues to transform industries, the need for upskilling the workforce is crucial," Samad said.

CURRENT STATE OF AI IN BANGLADESH

Bangladesh's position in AI is still nascent compared to global leaders like the US, China and India.

According to experts, while local companies are leveraging AI for operational efficiency and customer engagement, the country lacks a robust AI ecosystem.

Key challenges include limited infrastructure, skill gaps and insufficient investment in research and development.

To compete globally, Bangladesh must prioritise a national AI strategy, invest in education and training, foster public-private partnerships, and encourage local innovation.

"Key challenges for Bangladesh include fragmented academia-industry ties, scarce R&D funding, and policy gaps. Prioritise tripartite collaboration among academia, industry, and policymakers," said Mohammad Mahdee-uz Zaman, an AI policy expert.

He further said academia should develop AI-focused curricula while industries should provide practical training and policymakers should incentivise innovation.

"Strengthen digital infrastructure, invest in AI research centres and promote rural AI literacy. By aligning demographic agility with strategic upskilling, Bangladesh can leverage AI for domestic problem-solving in sectors like agriculture and healthcare, while positioning itself for global market leadership," he added.

Zaman, also the founder of CloudCamp Bangladesh, said with 60 percent of its population under 30, Bangladesh's youth and 1 million freelancers are pivotal to harnessing AI.

So, upskilling this workforce in AI tools (data annotation and ML models) can position the country as a global outsourcing hub for AI-driven tasks.

According to Mohammad Oli Ahad, the founder of Intelligent Machines and a passionate AI practitioner, the world is much like where it was in the early 1990s with the internet when it comes to AI.

"Similar to how, with the exceptions of socioeconomic left-outs, every industry and business now uses the internet, they will be using AI in coming years," said Ahad, who left Intelligent Machines and founded a new startup called rmg.ai, aiming to help transform the country's leading export industry.

"AI will break down every business model and put them back together in new ways," he added.

Rakibul Hassan, one of the country's leading authors on AI and ML, said adopting AI at scale requires strategic best practices, and the government should spearhead a national AI strategy with sector-specific roadmaps emphasising agriculture and healthcare.

Hassan suggested that a dedicated council, comprising experts from academia, industry and policymakers, could guide implementation. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are equally vital as collaborating with tech firms to develop AI solutions for public services, such as smart traffic systems in Dhaka, would demonstrate tangible benefits.

Meanwhile, investing in digital infrastructure, including high-speed internet and cloud computing, is essential to support startups like Chaldal and Daraz.

"Universities like BUET and all others must integrate AI into STEM curricula to nurture talent," said Hassan, who is also chief technology officer at CTO Link3 Technologies.

Projects in low-risk areas, such as using ML to predict water/power demand in Dhaka, can build confidence in wider deployment, he added.

He also said challenges persist, including limited data quality, skill gaps and resistance to change.

However, Bangladesh's young, tech-savvy population and thriving startup ecosystem offer unique opportunities.

"By prioritising ethical frameworks, infrastructure and collaboration, Bangladesh can position itself as a regional AI hub, using technology to tackle pressing issues like climate resilience, healthcare access and economic inclusion."​

 

[Saif]

AI, data-driven strategies transforming business operations: experts

The daylong Digital Summit held in Dhaka

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AI, data-driven strategies transforming business operations: experts
The daylong Digital Summit held in Dhaka

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data-driven strategies are transforming modern business operations, experts said today.

AI has become a fundamental tool in solving business challenges, with data analytics, machine learning, and advanced algorithms enabling businesses to anticipate market demand, manage inventory efficiently, and refine marketing strategies for maximum impact, said Zaved Akhtar, CEO of Unilever Bangladesh.

"With the rise of multiple TV channels and the evolution of digital marketing, firms must adapt and shift their perception accordingly," he said.

Akhtar also highlighted AI's capabilities, stating that it can now prepare, simulate, and complete 3D printing in just 30 minutes, whereas it previously took 15-20 days.

Bangladesh can be broadly divided into two regions: the eastern region, which is more industrialised and receives significant remittances—leading to a higher concentration of digital advertising—and the western region, which is predominantly rural, where door-to-door sales are more prevalent, said Akhtar, who is also the president of the Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

He was delivering a keynote address at the 11th edition of the Digital Summit, presented by Meghna Group of Industries (MGI) and organised by Bangladesh Brand Forum at InterContinental Dhaka.

The event served as a platform for industry leaders, digital experts, marketing professionals, and business strategists to convene and explore the dynamic and ever-evolving digital landscape.

The summit facilitated in-depth discussions on how businesses and brands can navigate the complexities of digital transformation while staying attuned to shifting consumer behaviours and emerging technological innovations.

Guided by the overarching theme "Digital Renaissance: Innovating for Tomorrow's Consumer," this year's summit analysed the intersection of technology, consumer psychology, and brand engagement.

Discussions underscored how brands must rethink their strategies to forge stronger and more meaningful connections with the next generation of consumers, particularly Gen Z and Gen Alpha.

The event featured a meticulously designed agenda, comprising an exciting lineup of two keynote sessions, four panel discussions, and two insight sessions, all aimed at offering deep insights and practical solutions for digital transformation.

Delivering the opening remarks, Sajid Mahbub, group CEO and executive editor of Bangladesh Brand Forum, emphasised the importance of embracing digital evolution as a necessity rather than an option.

"We are witnessing an era where digital transformation is no longer a distant concept—it is happening all around us, redefining how businesses operate and how brands engage with their audiences," he said.

"The digital renaissance calls for innovation, agility, and a profound understanding of consumer expectations. This summit is designed to equip industry leaders with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to rethink their approaches, foster deeper engagement, and navigate the complexities of today's fast-changing digital terrain."​

 

[Saif]

National AI Policy must address vulnerabilities of artificial intelligence

Bangladesh must ensure its AI system is fair, secure, and beneficial for all.

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National AI Policy must address vulnerabilities of artificial intelligence

File Illustration: Salman Sakib Shahryar

Last year, the Bangladesh government released a draft of the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy, which, given the changing political situation and a lack of public interest in general, did not get enough attention. Despite projecting a lofty vision of catapulting Bangladesh into an era of AI innovation and adoption by harnessing it for the well-being of citizens, economic prosperity, and sustainable development, the draft policy falls short in some aspects, especially compared to the more detailed and exemplary regulatory frameworks such as the Artificial Intelligence Act in the European Union (EU) and AI regulations in China.

One of the vital goals of any national AI policy should be ensuring that AI systems are legally required to be reasonably safe, secure, reliable, and protected against errors and biases. That is precisely one of the areas where our policy could be more comprehensive.

One of the major risks of AI lies in its susceptibility to errors and biases, which raises a wide range of ethical concerns. Unlike conventional computer programmes, AI systems powered by machine learning can learn from data without explicit directives from human operators. While this gives AI transformative potential—such as in the case of operating self-driving cars and creating art or poetry—it also makes them susceptible to errors.

The first type of error comes from the data used to train the AI. It is easier to explain this with a few examples. In 2018, Amazon, the world's largest e-commerce retailer, used an AI recruitment tool that helped check applications. The tool had been trained on checking the CVs submitted to the company in the last 10 years, most of which came from men. Consequently, the algorithm learnt to favour male candidates, and downgrade CVs that included the word "women." After the issue was discovered, Amazon scrapped the tool. Similarly, in 2020, Twitter faced backlash when users discovered that its image-cropping algorithm favoured white faces over black ones. The algorithm was found to have been trained on datasets that did not adequately represent different skin tones, leading to biased decisions that favoured lighter-skinned individuals. Therefore, there is a critical need for diverse and representative datasets when training machine learning models to avoid biases and ensure fair and accurate performance.

The second source of errors is the algorithms themselves. For instance, in 2023, autonomous vehicle manufacturer Cruise had to recall its entire fleet of self-driving cars in the US after a vehicle struck a pedestrian, causing severe injuries. These cars were using a particular class of machine learning—deep learning, which is the technology behind today's most advanced AI systems, but it is not yet advanced enough to anticipate incidents like this. Regardless of the volume of training data, it is impossible to prepare these systems for every conceivable scenario. Thus, the potential for such errors always exists.

Finally, the third source of errors made by artificial systems is that machines lack morality and ethical point of views. In many fields, AI is being used to make decisions with moral implications, often without human oversight. For example, AI systems can identify and track individuals, potentially leading to biased or unjust actions. In some countries, AI algorithms are already being used in the justice system to assess the likelihood of a defendant committing future crimes, influencing decisions on bail, sentencing, and parole. These algorithms analyse various factors, from a person's criminal history to their socioeconomic background, to predict the risk level they pose. Without human supervision, AI can often misread the nuances of criminal cases and generate wrong verdicts. Even with human oversight, AI's decisions can influence a human judge's decision-making process in a wrong way.

An examination of Bangladesh's AI policy shows that, even though it addresses several potential sources of errors, some parts of it require further fine-tuning and expansion. For example, while the policy emphasises the need to prevent prejudice, bias, and discrimination in AI (Section 6.1.4), it lacks specific guidelines on ensuring diversity in training datasets, which is crucial for such prevention. Even though the legal and regulatory framework is meant to be established separately in the National Strategy for AI, which is a companion to the National AI Policy, more explicit instructions on data diversity, algorithmic oversight, and ethical considerations would benefit it.

The issue of data diversity is probably the most crucial for Bangladesh. Currently, most AI systems are being trained using datasets from developed countries. This can have profound negative implications for developing countries like ours. For example, in the near future, when AI becomes more commonplace, state-of-the-art AI algorithms used in medical diagnostics may not work well for patients in our country because the training dataset did not include enough information about our weather, food habits, and genetic makeup, which are pertinent to our health. Therefore, while data privacy and security are crucial, developing a representative demographic dataset under government supervision is also essential.

Bangladesh must ensure its AI system is fair, secure, and beneficial for all. While the draft National AI Policy marks a first step in that direction, policy gaps in data diversity, algorithmic oversight, and ethical considerations must be addressed more comprehensively in future revisions.

Amio Galib Chowdhury is graduate research student at the McCoy College of Business, Texas State University, US.​

 

[Saif]

DeepSeek’s AI triumph: A call for Bangladesh to retain its brightest minds

The global AI race is no longer just about talent migration—it is about fostering innovation at home.

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DeepSeek’s AI triumph: A call for Bangladesh to retain its brightest minds

The recent success of DeepSeek, an AI model developed in China, has disrupted the industry, proving that world-class AI can be created at a fraction of the cost. FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

The United States has long been the world's premier destination for innovation, drawing the brightest minds from across the globe. With its unmatched financial resources, world-class research institutions, and a risk-taking culture that fuels technological breakthroughs, the US has cultivated an environment where ambitious thinkers thrive. The country has built an ecosystem that rewards talent and creativity, making it a magnet for scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs who push the boundaries of possibility. This ability to attract and invest in global talent has been a key driver of the US's dominance in artificial intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technologies.

However, the landscape is evolving. The recent success of DeepSeek, an AI model developed in China, has disrupted the industry, proving that world-class AI can be created at a fraction of the cost. Unlike models from OpenAI or Google that require immense computational power and financial backing, DeepSeek demonstrated remarkable efficiency by utilising only a fraction of the GPUs typically needed for large-scale language models. This milestone underscores a broader shift: Asian countries are no longer just suppliers of talent for US companies; they are becoming AI powerhouses themselves. This shift is further reflected in the increasing presence of Asian talent in the US tech industry. With 71 percent of AI researchers in the US being foreign-born and a majority hailing from Asia, the statistics speak for themselves—35.9 percent of Microsoft's AI team and 44.8 percent of Google's AI researchers are of Asian descent.

What makes Asian talent so exceptional? The answer lies in the unique motivations that drive these individuals. Unlike their Western counterparts, who often have access to ample resources, many Asian innovators grow up in environments where they must navigate scarcity and intense competition. This fosters a problem-solving mindset, resilience, and an ability to maximise efficiency with limited means. In countries like Bangladesh, students develop an extraordinary work ethic from a young age, competing for a limited number of top university spots and thriving in challenging conditions. Despite the increase in higher education institutions, the quality of education remains a pressing issue. Many universities focus on infrastructure rather than investing in skilled faculty or research facilities, and there is no robust mechanism to measure educational quality. As a result, students seek better opportunities abroad, where they can specialise and gain practical knowledge tailored to industry demands.

Many of Bangladesh's brightest students have showcased their talents on the global stage, excelling in international competitions and pursuing higher studies at prestigious institutions abroad. A notable example of local ingenuity is Avro Keyboard, a free and open-source Bangla keyboard developed in 2003 by young innovator Mehdi Hasan Khan and his team. Over the years, it has become an indispensable tool for Bangla typing and was honoured with the 2025 Ekushey Padak in recognition. This innovation underscores Bangladesh's potential to contribute meaningfully to the technological landscape, demonstrating how the country's youth can drive innovation and make significant strides in the global tech arena.

Bangladesh, a country with immense intellectual potential, finds itself at a crossroads in this shifting global dynamic. The number of students going abroad for higher studies has tripled in 15 years, despite significant growth in local higher education institutions. In 2022, at least 49,151 Bangladeshi students went abroad to study in 58 countries, a sharp rise from 16,609 in 2008. Although the number of universities has doubled in the same period, the outflow of students has not slowed due to challenges such as limited research opportunities, outdated lab facilities, and political instability. The lack of skilled faculty, research funding, and infrastructure prevents them from thriving within the country, leading to a continuous brain drain.

To harness the potential of its bright population, Bangladesh must learn from countries that have successfully reversed the brain drain. China, for instance, implemented policies to bring back top researchers by offering competitive salaries, advanced research facilities, and government-backed funding programmes. Similarly, India's expanding AI and tech ecosystem is creating opportunities that encourage talent to return home. Bangladesh can adopt similar strategies by investing in AI research centres, fostering collaboration between academia and industry, and providing financial incentives for researchers to develop groundbreaking technology within the country. Creating a startup-friendly environment and strengthening AI infrastructure will allow Bangladesh to not only retain talent but also attract global investments.

The global AI race is no longer just about talent migration—it is about fostering innovation at home. While the US continues to benefit from Asia's intellectual capital, the balance is shifting. However, Bangladesh has a golden opportunity to leverage its human potential and become a significant player in AI. By investing in its brightest minds and providing them with the resources they need, the country can position itself at the forefront of the AI revolution. If Bangladesh embraces the momentum of innovation, it can transform from a talent exporter to a leader in global AI innovation.

Ruhina Tabasshum Prome is research associate at Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management (BIGM).

Shirin Sultana is research associate at BIGM.​

 

[Saif]

Growing AI market to stir global economy

There is no doubt that artificial intelligence (AI) will significantly change the global economy in the near future due to the fast-growing competition among nations that tap its benefits. Advanced countries are well ahead in the competition thanks to their cutting-edge knowledge and technology, wh

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Growing AI market to stir global economy
Asjadul Kibria
Published :
Apr 12, 2025 22:06
Updated :
Apr 12, 2025 22:06

There is no doubt that artificial intelligence (AI) will significantly change the global economy in the near future due to the fast-growing competition among nations that tap its benefits. Advanced countries are well ahead in the competition thanks to their cutting-edge knowledge and technology, whereas developing nations are struggling to catch up. The net result is that there exist a wide gap between the two in regards to AI, which will leave a far-reaching impact on millions of people in the coming days. It is also likely that millions of jobs will vanish, creating severe social tension and chaos in the world. However, there is a big potential to explore diversified opportunities due to the proliferation of AI.

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) made these observations in its Technology and Innovation Report 2025, released in the first week of this month. The theme of the latest report is Inclusive Artificial Intelligence for Development, which stresses strategic investments, inclusive governance, and global cooperation to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared equally by all rather than reinforcing current discriminations.

It is to be noted that AI is one of the key frontier technologies and is generally defined as the capability of a machine to engage in cognitive activities typically performed by the human brain. AI implementations focusing on narrow tasks are widely available and used, for example, in recommending online purchases, for virtual assistants in smartphones and for detecting spam or credit card fraud. New implementations of AI are based on machine learning and harness big data.

Again, frontier technologies are defined as new and rapidly developing technologies that take advantage of digitalisation and connectivity. These are emerging at the intersection of radical scientific breakthroughs and real-world implementation. UNCTAD report mentioned 16 more frontier technologies besides AI. These are the Internet of Things (IoT), Big data, Blockchain, 5G, Metaverse, 3D printing, Robotics, Drone technology, Solar photovoltaics (Solar PV), Concentrated solar power, Biofuels, Biogas and biomass, wind energy, Green hydrogen, electric vehicles, Nanotechnology, and Gene editing. These technologies are changing our lives, communication, innovation, creation, and business. Moreover, these are helping to address some of the most pressing global issues we face.

UNCTAD report mentioned that AI is expected to reach US$4.8 trillion in market value within a decade, by 2033, to be precise. At present, the share of AI in the leading frontier technologies market is only seven per cent, while the Internet of Things grabs 36 per cent. Due to rapid growth, by 2033 the share of AI may reach 29 per cent. The UN agency report, however, pointed out that access to AI infrastructure and expertise remains concentrated in a few economies. For instance, only 100 firms, mainly in the United States (US) and China, account for 40 per cent of global corporate research and development (R&D) spending. "Leading tech giants, such as Apple, Nvidia and Microsoft, each have a market value of around $3 trillion, rivalling the gross domestic product (GDP) of the whole African continent," it added. Thus, the report cautioned that market dominance, at both national and corporate levels, is likely to widen technological divides, leaving many developing nations at risk of missing out on the benefits of AI.

Another big risk the fast-growing AI market poses is the loss of jobs. UNCTAD report estimated that AI could impact 40 per cent of jobs worldwide as the 'benefits of AI-driven automation often favour capital over labour.' This may widen inequality and reduce the competitive advantage of low-cost labour in developing economies, cautioned the report. At the same time, the report expressed optimism that AI is not just about replacing jobs; it can create new industries and empower workers. To use AI to enhance employment opportunities rather than eliminate those, the UN agency stressed investing in reskilling, upskilling and workforce adaptation. In this connection, it is critical to formulate effective AI policies in the countries, so they can focus on infrastructure, data and skills.

So far, most AI policies have been formulated by developed countries. The UNCTAD report showed that at the end of 2023, around two-thirds of developed countries had a national AI strategy, and only six of the 89 national AI strategies were from LDCs. Bangladesh and Sierra Leone took the lead in 2019 to formulate AI policies and were joined by four other LDCs in 2023.

Another critical aspect is global AI governance, which will play a significant role in determining the status of different nations in the world of AI. As AI regulation and ethical frameworks take shape, UNCTAD strongly recommends that developing nations join the initiative. This is crucial to ensure that AI serves global progress, not just the interests of a few. The report argues that stronger international cooperation is necessary to create a global AI framework prioritising equity, transparency, and shared benefits.

The analyses of the pros and cons of AI globally in the near future by UNCTAD will definitely serve as a valuable guideline for developing nations like Bangladesh. Though the country has taken a number of steps in digital transformation and is also trying to move ahead in terms of AI, a lot of work is needed in this connection. The Digital Bangladesh initiative, launched one and half decades ago, successfully pushed digital transformation in various sectors. The country's potential is also reflected in the frontier technologies readiness index, as revealed in the UNCTAD report.

In 2024, Bangladesh ranked 112th among 170 nations in the frontier technologies readiness index overall, jumping from 121st in the previous index. The index has five key components, and ranking in those areas can provide more details of readiness.

The country's position is significantly low in ICT and skills rankings, 140th and 132, respectively, reflecting the bad governance, flawed planning and wrong investments that drove the Digital Bangladesh initiative from its optimal paths to a large extent. The country's position is slightly better in industry and finance rankings, 108th and 90th, respectively. In the research and development (R&D) ranking, Bangladesh stood 61st, showing that the country has developed a research repository, although it is still unable to translate the research outcomes into action significantly. To put it another way, Bangladesh has developed a good research base to tap into the future AI market and contribute to the global AI policy-making discourse and governance. Now, a long-term realistic plan is required to continue the advancement in research and draw adequate investment from home and abroad. Securing jobs is also critical for the country, as AI-driven displacement is unavoidable.​

 

[Saif]

How AI can help build a fairer Bangladesh

To ensure a sustainable future, it is imperative to reform state policies and eliminate corruption.

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How AI can help build a fairer Bangladesh

File Illustration: Salman Sakib Shahryar

Bangladesh has faced systemic corruption with various public and private sectors, resulting in inefficiencies, economic disparities, and hardships for the common people. Under the former regime, corruption was rampant, leading to biased policymaking that benefited vested quarters at the cost of national wealth and public welfare. To ensure a sustainable future, it is imperative to reform state policies and eliminate corruption. This can be done through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated data-driven systems to monitor societal transitions. This initiative aims to empower the youth and universities in Bangladesh with AI-driven tools to actively participate in societal transition. By leveraging AI for unbiased decision-making and transparent monitoring, it seeks to eliminate corruption, enhance policy efficiency, and ensure equitable national development and public welfare.

The negative impact of corruption has permeated all key areas, including: (1) Energy security: predatory costs and economic inefficiencies and energy-related challenges have led to a severe energy crisis and financial burdens on the people putting their energy rights in danger. (2) Food security: poor policies and productivity, an oligopolistic market, especially in import, mismanagement of subsidies, and exploitation by middlemen have resulted in food shortage, adulteration, and price hikes. As a result, consumers' right to food is unprotected. (3) Health security: oligopolistic market, inaction by regulatory bodies, unethical business practices in the private sector and corruption in the healthcare and medicine sector have led to inadequate medical facilities, mismanagement of resources, and lack of affordable treatment options. Therefore, health rights are at stake. (4) Education security: poor-quality, corruption in recruitment and physical infrastructural development, and mismanagement of resources plague the sector. Former government officials, such as vice-chancellors of public universities and faculty members, have used employment as business opportunities, accepting bribes to recruit unqualified people. The same model was followed by the schools and colleges under Monthly Pay Order (MPO) all over the country. This not only compromises standards but also violates the right to quality education of the people. (5) Other areas: from financial security to national safety, biased policies and inefficient governance have created systemic instability and public dissatisfaction.

To counteract these, a fundamental shift in governance is needed—one that replaces human bias and vested interests with data-driven, AI-powered decision-making systems. AI has the potential to revolutionise governance by ensuring that policies are designed based on real-time, unbiased, and verifiable data.

Power network AI can be deployed to collect real-time data from power generation, transmission, and distribution systems. By eliminating human intervention in energy allocation and pricing decisions, the system can ensure equitable distribution of electricity based on real demand and supply, power supply free from predatory costs, system loss reduction, power generation at the least cost, detection of fraudulent activities such as unauthorised power consumption, system loss and billing manipulation, and optimised renewable energy integration, reducing dependency on fossil fuels and enhancing power supply and economic sustainability.

Data-driven AI systems can be implemented to regulate the agricultural sector and ensure fair price monitoring to prevent market manipulation, automated tracking of crop yields, predicting potential shortages and suggesting policy adjustments in real-time, transparent subsidy distribution, ensuring that benefits reach the farmers rather than corrupt intermediaries, and control of market price to prevent manipulation.

The healthcare system can be improved through AI-driven solutions such as automated tracking of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals preventing corruption in procurement and distribution, predictive analytics for disease outbreaks allowing better allocation of resources, and AI-assisted telemedicine improving healthcare access in rural and underserved areas.

The education sector requires urgent intervention to eliminate corruption and improve quality. AI-driven solutions can help by automating faculty and staff recruitment, monitoring educational standards, identifying underperforming institutions and enforcing accountability. AI-based personalised learning systems can enhance the quality of education and make it accessible to all students. It can also detect fraudulent degrees and academic misconduct, ensuring credibility in educational institutions.

Governance and policy reforms must be guided by AI-driven analysis that eliminates human biases. Key benefits include unbiased policy recommendations based on economic, social, and environmental data rather than political influences, automated fraud detection systems in financial transactions, procurement, and contract management and real-time data integration from multiple sources, ensuring transparency and accountability in government decision-making.

For AI-driven systems to function effectively, it is essential to establish: (1) Automated data collection mechanisms, reducing human interference and chances of manipulation; (2) Data sanitisation protocols, ensuring that collected data is accurate, relevant, and free from bias; and (3) Blockchain and cryptographic security frameworks, preventing unauthorised alterations or misuse of data.

The integration of AI-driven systems in governance is not just a technological upgrade—it is a revolutionary step towards fairness, efficiency, and accountability. By replacing corrupt human interventions with data-driven AI decisions, Bangladesh can overcome the inefficiencies of the past and build a future where public welfare is prioritised over vested interests.

M. Shamsul Alam is energy adviser at the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), and professor of electrical and electronic engineering at Daffodil University.​

 

[Saif]

The new canvas: how generative AI is changing the future of creative work in Bangladesh

Generative AI is rewriting the rules of creativity

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The new canvas: how generative AI is changing the future of creative work in Bangladesh
Generative AI is rewriting the rules of creativity

From the bustling alleys of Dhaka to the quiet courtyards of Netrokona, a new creative energy is rising across Bangladesh. Young people everywhere—armed with dreams, basic laptops, and a mobile connection—are entering the digital design world. Whether through a local ICT training centre in Jashore, an online course in Chattogram, or a freelancing group in Rajshahi, the goal is to earn, create, and connect with global opportunities. But while their ambition is clear, many are still learning tools that are no longer industry standard. The rest of the world is already designing with Artificial Intelligence, and Bangladesh must catch up fast.

Today, generative AI is rewriting the rules of creativity. Tools like Stable Diffusion and DALL·E 3 allow users to turn simple text prompts into stunning visuals in seconds. A person can type "a modern office logo with traditional motifs" or "a coastal village sunset for a tourism poster," and instantly receive professional-quality results. Meanwhile, platforms like Canva—already popular in Bangladesh—have introduced AI-based features that simplify layout design, video editing, and brand creation. The result is that what once took days of careful work can now be completed in minutes, with almost no prior training in graphic software. For a country with millions of digitally inclined youth, this is not just a trend—it's a turning point.

More than 60 percent of Bangladesh's population is under 35. This massive demographic advantage—often called a demographic dividend—can either drive the economy forward or weigh it down, depending on how we prepare our youth. We can turn this population into a force of value generation with AI-powered design skills. If even a small percentage of our youth become successful AI-enhanced freelancers or entrepreneurs, the country could earn billions in annual income, reduce youth unemployment, and grow a sustainable, knowledge-based export sector. This is not a theory; this is already happening.

In Khulna, a group of final-year students uses Canva and DALL·E 3 to create product packaging for small businesses in the UAE. In Bogura, a freelancer who switched from traditional Photoshop to Stable Diffusion now handles design tasks for three international clients and has tripled his income. In Barishal, a group of girls from a local ICT centre are designing Facebook campaigns for local fashion brands using Canva's AI layout generator. In Mymensingh, a graduate with a diploma now creates concept art for indie game developers in Germany using prompt-based visual creation through AI tools.

These are not rare cases but early signals of a larger possibility. If we can train and mobilise one million youth in AI-powered design and content creation, each earning even $300 per month, that would mean over $3.6 billion flowing into the economy annually—without factories, without exports, and with minimal infrastructure. That is the cumulative impact we are ignoring at our own risk.

But this impact is not just economic. When a young woman in Nilphamari earns her first dollar by selling an AI-generated design on Etsy, she gains income, dignity, and confidence. When a boy in Rangpur becomes a visual storyteller using Canva's AI tools, he doesn't need to migrate for work—he brings opportunity home. When a madrasa graduate in Cumilla learns to design Da'wah posters with DALL·E 3 and shares them online, he's contributing to community education while building digital skills. This is how we create an inclusive economy—by giving tools, access, and belief to every corner of society.

The government of Bangladesh has already committed to digital development through initiatives like the ICT Division's skills programmes, LEDP, and SEIP. However, most of these training curricula were created before the rise of AI. They taught basic freelancing, graphic design, and content marketing, but now need to evolve rapidly to meet global standards. We must revise our national curriculum in public education and private training centres to include Stable Diffusion, DALL·E 3, Canva AI, and prompt engineering as part of regular training. Our instructors must be retrained. Our content must be translated into Bangla. And our delivery must reach every district—from Cox's Bazar to Thakurgaon.

A district-focused model can multiply this impact. In Rajshahi, known for its rich culture and artistic heritage, AI can help digitise traditional patterns into sellable global merchandise. In Narayanganj, the design needs of small garment exporters can be supported by local youth trained in prompt-based branding. In Noakhali, AI-powered design kiosks can be set up in union digital centres, helping farmers or shopkeepers make marketing posters. Sylhet's diaspora connections can be tapped by creating freelance design agencies that serve the UK and European Bangladeshi community. In Bandarban, trained tribal youth can build visual stories of their heritage, promote tourism, and sell creative content globally. The canvas is limitless—if we provide the brush.

The private sector must join this movement. Internet providers, banks, telecom companies, NGOs, and universities can co-host AI design bootcamps, sponsor creative challenges, and offer microgrants to rural AI creators. A student in Gopalganj should not be denied the future because they didn't have Canva Pro access or didn't hear of DALL·E 3. Inclusion must be intentional.

Bangladesh has consistently proven that it can adapt and leapfrog. From basic phones to mobile banking, garments to digital commerce, we move when mobilised. Now is the time to mobilise around generative AI—not as a tech buzzword but as a national tool for income, innovation, and inspiration. With proper direction, this movement could become our next garment industry—only brighter, cleaner, and fully digital.

Our young people are ready. They are creative, connected, and courageous. All they need now is guidance, access, and trust. We must give them the tools of tomorrow—today.

Let us not wait for the future to arrive. Let us build it—with our youth, talent, and a new canvas filled with AI-powered creativity.

The writer is the chairman of Bitbyte Technology Limited.​

 

[Saif]

Without AI, Bangladesh risks falling behind: experts

If business process outsourcing (BPO) companies in Bangladesh fail to adopt technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and large language models, they will fall behind in global competition, experts warned yesterday..“Technological advancement in the past two years has su

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Without AI, Bangladesh risks falling behind: experts
BPO summit begins in Dhaka

If business process outsourcing (BPO) companies in Bangladesh fail to adopt technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and large language models, they will fall behind in global competition, experts warned today.

"Technological advancement in the past two years has surpassed all previous eras of innovation," said Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser with executive authority over the posts, telecommunications and ICT ministry.

"If companies cannot adapt to this transformation, they may shut down within two years… They will be eliminated by default," he said.

"Especially for IT and ITES companies, there is no room to survive without embracing change. This failure will not only harm businesses but also damage the country's competitiveness," he added.

Taiyeb was addressing the inauguration of a two-day BPO Summit Bangladesh 2025 at Senaprangan, Dhaka.

Organised by the Bangladesh Association of Contact Center and Outsourcing (BACCO), the event bore the theme "BPO 2.0: Revolution to Innovation" this year, signalling a shift towards innovation-driven growth in the industry.

Taiyeb urged BPO companies to swiftly assess what peer nations like China, India, Vietnam and the Philippines are doing in AI adoption.

"Only then can you approach the government with informed policy demands," he said.

He emphasised that IT engineers must understand sectoral challenges, as technology now permeates every industry.

"The way Chinese companies are leveraging generative AI and accelerating business process upgrades—if we fail to keep pace, we must identify these gaps and bring them to the government's attention," said Taiyeb.

Bangladesh has set a target to generate $5 billion from IT exports by 2030.

"Sri Lanka, one-tenth our size, has set a similar goal. Yet our current annual export hovers at around $700 million to $800 million. We must double our IT exports every year—this is a shared national challenge," he said.

Taiyeb recommended providing export incentives of 8 percent to 10 percent for frontier technologies like AI, while offering 4 percent to 5 percent for legacy segments.

"This ensures that new tech is prioritised without overburdening the government," he said.

He predicted that legacy call centres would disappear within five years, transforming into AI and large language model (LLM)-powered operations. "This sector must embrace transformation now."

BACCO President Tanvir Ibrahim said, "The BPO Summit is not just an industry event—it is a collective declaration of our confidence, capability and future aspirations. We believe this summit will help empower the youth with technology-driven employment and entrepreneurship opportunities."

Adilur Rahman Khan, adviser to the interim government on industry and housing & public works, attended as chief guest.

"The BPO sector is no longer just about outsourcing—it symbolises human resource development and economic transformation. The government will provide full support for its growth," he said.

ICT Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury and BACCO Secretary General Faisal Alim also spoke.

This year's summit features nine international seminars and workshops, a job fair, special sessions on entrepreneurship, freelancer platforms, and a large exhibition with domestic and international BPO and tech companies.

Diplomats, tech experts and global buyers are attending.

A major attraction this year is an "Experience Zone", showcasing cutting-edge technologies including Starlink satellite internet, immersive AR and VR simulations themed on the July uprising, advanced drones and submarine technologies, and robotics exhibitions.​

 

[Saif]

Shikho partners with Meta to launch AI literacy course in Bangladesh

Shikho, the edtech platform, has recently announced a partnership with Meta to develop and deliver a new AI literacy course aimed at broadening public understanding of artificial intelligence (AI).

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Shikho partners with Meta to launch AI literacy course in Bangladesh

Shikho, the edtech platform, has recently announced a partnership with Meta to develop and deliver a new AI literacy course aimed at broadening public understanding of artificial intelligence (AI).

According to Shahir Chowdhury, Founder and CEO of Shikho, it will be a "first-of-its-kind course on AI literacy in Bangladesh."

"The course that we are planning with Meta will be available for free on our Shikho platform around October 2025. The course will be available in Bangla," said Shahir.

The announcement comes shortly before the expected public rollout of Shikho AI, a tool that offers instant, curriculum-aligned academic support to users across the country.​

 

[Saif]

The West’s AI dominance is the new colonialism

AI colonialism goes beyond economics; it also involves language and cultural erasure.

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The West’s AI dominance is the new colonialism

VISUAL: FREEPIK

In the colonial era, empires extracted gold, rubber, and labour. Nowadays, data and cheap click-work are the new spoils. The West's AI boom thrives on digital colonialism, where personal data and low-wage labour from the Global South fuel its wealth. Silicon Valley firms harvest user information while outsourcing tasks to Nairobi and Manila, replicating colonial power dynamics.

The AI revolution mirrors past hierarchies, with the Global North monopolising benefits and the Global South as a raw material provider. Western dominance in AI is a new form of imperialism. The question is whether the Global South can fight back, and if so, how, before this digital subjugation deepens further?

Although it could be thought of by many as "the great equaliser," AI perpetuates old inequalities. Big Tech and Western nations are extracting value from the Global South in familiar ways. Tech giants steal tweets, photos, and voices from the Global South to feed their AI. People in places like Nairobi and New Delhi contribute vast amounts of data without compensation, while the flow of this data travels outward, much like the colonial trade routes that once drained resources from the periphery to the West.

In the Global South, millions of workers perform invisible labour for AI companies, earning as little as $1.50 per hour for tasks like moderating disturbing content or annotating data. In Kenya, India, and Latin America, AI's growth reinforces colonial-like dynamics, with low-paid workers bearing the brunt of exploitation. In Kenya, workers filter toxic content for OpenAI, while locals help train AI models for self-driving cars in Uganda and Nigeria.

Indian tech workers face similar conditions, often working as gig labourers without job security. Skilled researchers are syphoned off to Silicon Valley, mirroring colonial extraction.

Additionally, the Global South's dependence on Western AI platforms like OpenAI's GPT or Google's cloud services can also be seen as colonial economic dependency. Only five percent of Africa's AI talent have access to the computational power and resources needed to carry out complex tasks, known as compute. The African AI researchers lack access to sufficient computing resources, forcing them to rent American servers or use free tools, trapped in a cycle of subjugation.

AI colonialism goes beyond economics; it also involves language and cultural erasure. Big Tech's AI silences half the world's languages. They function best in English, Chinese, or European languages, while many African and South Asian languages are poorly represented. For example, until community-driven projects stepped in, languages like Hausa and Bangla had little AI support despite having millions of speakers. This neglect leads to AI colonising cognitive space, where a Western digital framework overshadows local cultures. AI perpetuates a Western worldview in subtle ways, ignoring diverse local realities.

In Latin America, the AI imbalance is visible in their importing of surveillance tech from Western firms. Countries like Brazil and Ecuador use facial recognition and biometric systems with little oversight, echoing the colonial past when foreign powers controlled domestic security. These examples expose a consistent pattern: the Global South provides labour, data, and markets, while Western firms retain control, profits, and power. AI's benefits flow upwards, while the burdens remain on those at the bottom, which is the age-old system of exploitation.

Major US companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft control most AI patents, cloud infrastructure, and models, creating dependency for the Global South. Western nations, especially the US, use their power to restrict access to critical AI resources through export controls on semiconductors and by blocking services like OpenAI in sanctioned countries. This is similar to colonial-era tactics, where industrial technologies were withheld from colonised nations to maintain control.

Ironically, the West often presents itself as the champion of AI ethics and human rights, but its enforcement of these principles is selective and self-serving. Tech companies promote ethical AI guidelines at home, only to look the other way when their products are used abusively abroad. For instance, Western firms with ethical codes supply surveillance AI to regimes with poor human rights records, profiting from opaque deals in the Global South. These companies have a responsibility to respect human rights, yet their tools frequently enable the oppression of journalists and dissidents. The West also dominates AI governance forums, sidelining Global South voices in shaping the rules of AI. This results in hypocritical rules written by the powerful, often imposed on developing nations with little consultation.

Despite this oddity, resistance is emerging. Grassroots projects like Mozilla's Common Voice are crowdsourcing speech data in underrepresented languages like Hausa and Tamil, allowing local developers to create tech that reflects their culture using their mother tongue. Karya, an ethical data company in India, is redefining AI labour by paying workers fair wages, granting them ownership of their data, and ensuring they benefit from its resale.

Countries are also uniting for AI cooperation, with the BRICS bloc and other emerging economies forming alliances to reduce dependency on Western tech. Although nascent, it is a world where no single empire controls AI. Data sovereignty laws are also gaining traction, as nations like Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana pass legislation to keep personal data within their borders to boost their local tech industries. In Latin America, countries like Brazil and Chile are discussing "data localisation" as part of their digital strategies.

Open-source AI efforts, such as Chile's Latam GPT, tailored for Spanish, and Africa's Masakhane project aim to strengthen Natural Language Processing (NLP) and create inclusive and locally relevant AI models. These efforts are breaking Big Tech's monopoly and showcasing the Global South's potential to develop technology on its own terms.

The stakes in the AI struggle are already high as a new digital empire is being formed, dominated by a few nations and companies. However, the Global South has the numbers, talent, and moral authority to demand change. It must mainly push for regulations against data exploitation, secure a seat in AI governance, and build local capacity for independent innovation. Meanwhile, the West must confront the unsustainable nature of AI's colonial-style inequity. History shows empires fall when people resist. With collective action, AI can be for all, not just the privileged few.

Shaikh Afnan Birahim is a postgraduate student of Computing Science at the University of Glasgow in Scotland.​