Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Administration Affairs Md Ismail Zabihullah on Thursday stressed the importance of a whole-of-government approach to fully leverage the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Speaking as the chief guest at the “AI and Innovation Dialogue”, he highlighted the Prime Minister’s priority of ensuring seamless interoperability across all public service delivery domains.

He also recalled late Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s contribution to enacting the country’s first ICT policy.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Posts, Telecommunications, Information Technology and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad attended the event as the special guest.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, jointly with the Governance Innovation Unit (GIU) of the Prime Minister’s Office, organised the dialogue at the ministry’s auditorium in Segunbagicha, Dhaka.

The organisers reaffirmed the national priority of putting AI at the heart of Bangladesh’s tech diplomacy.

It was the third thematic roundtable since the ministry’s Roadmap for Trade, Growth and Economic Diplomacy Conference held in June.

Asad highlighted the need to ensure wider public access to advanced digital devices.

He said pragmatic policies adopted by the BNP government would enable Bangladesh to produce inexpensive, advanced-feature phones in the near future.

Asad also briefed participants on the government’s latest progress and upcoming plans on AI and innovation, saying necessary measures are being taken to establish a high-speed and secure connectivity platform.

He said Bangladesh will have its own sovereign AI within the next 12 months, with computing chips for the platform already secured.

“AI will be the main economic engine to achieve the trillion-dollar economy,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said, describing Bangladesh’s approach to technology.

She highlighted government support for tech startups and the reorientation of economic diplomacy.

Reflecting on her recent ministerial visit to Silicon Valley, she called for reducing the gap between Dhaka and Silicon Valley in terms of technological competence.

Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s priorities, Shama said Bangladesh First means Bangladesh will be a net provider of technologies, rather than merely a buyer.

Recalling her days as a computer engineer, she said preventing the abuse of technology to propagate gender-based violence remains a top priority.

In his special remarks, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said garments and remittances, whose foundations were laid by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, have long formed the “double helix” of Bangladesh’s economic DNA.

But achieving the trillion-dollar economy targeted by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would require “a third strand: the knowledge worker”, he said.

He also stressed that Bangladesh First does not mean Bangladesh alone. “It means Bangladesh is ready for investment, for cooperation,” he said.

Opening the dialogue, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury said the fundamental question now is: “Who controls AI and who benefits from it?”

Bangladesh seeks to be an equitable beneficiary of AI rather than merely a consumer, he said, adding that the country will play the role of a bridge-builder among global quarters.

The ministry will coordinate stakeholders’ views to shape Bangladesh’s position at the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, he added.

The ministry’s International Trade, Investment and Technology (ITIT) Wing and UNDP presented technical papers for benchmarking the session and establishing an AI Policy Lab in Dhaka.

Lt. General (Rtd.) Md Mahfuzur Rahman, Chairman of the Osmani Center for Peace and Security Studies, highlighted the security aspects of AI in the context of Bangladesh and beyond its borders.

Joan Ai, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Blanchard House Institute, delivered a special address.

Dr. Delwar Hossain, Director General (Additional Secretary) of GIU, offered the vote of thanks.

Twenty-five international organisations and 85 diplomatic missions of Bangladesh joined the session online.

Senior officials from relevant ministries and agencies, members of the diplomatic corps, development partners, and representatives of the technology industry, startups, enterprises, chambers, academia and think tanks attended the dialogue.