Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq has emphasized the significance of legislation to regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence in realizing the vision of a Smart Bangladesh, including Smart Generation by 2041, as outlined by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

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Acknowledging the benefits and drawbacks of AI, the minister said there is nothing to be afraid of as efforts are underway to establish AI laws to mitigate any negative consequences.

He was addressing at a stakeholder meeting held on Thursday at the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) building in Agargaon.

The meeting, organized by the Department of Information and Communication Technology, saw participation from representatives of various ministries, government departments, offices, and organizations, alongside other stakeholders.

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Highlighting the government's commitment to inclusive lawmaking, Huq emphasized the importance of consulting stakeholders in the legislative process. He noted that initial drafts of the AI legislation had already been discussed with stakeholders and that the current meeting aimed to incorporate their feedback into the drafting process.

The finalized draft of the AI law is slated for completion by September this year, following further consultations.

Haque stressed the inevitability of AI legislation in light of the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. However, he advocated for a balanced approach, suggesting that the initial legislation should offer flexibility while maintaining robust regulatory measures.

Moreover, he emphasized the need for alignment between AI laws and policies, asserting that laws must reflect existing policy frameworks to be effective.

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In his address, State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Junaid Ahmed Palak echoed the importance of AI in addressing risks and harnessing its potential.

Palak cited recent incidents of AI misuse, such as the circulation of fake images on social media, underscoring the necessity of effective regulation in the digital realm.