Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology Faqir Mahbub Anam on Saturday said the government is giving the highest priority to developing an AI-skilled workforce, describing artificial intelligence as a key driver of the country's future economy, innovation and competitiveness.
He made the remarks while inaugurating the Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory and AI Project Competition 2026 at Daffodil International University (DIU) in Birulia, Savar.
Speaking at the event, the minister said AI is no longer just an emerging technology but has become a transformative force shaping education, healthcare, agriculture, industry, business and public administration.
"Building a new Bangladesh requires sustained investment in research, innovation and the development of a highly skilled workforce," he said.
He said university-based AI research laboratories can serve as centres of excellence by equipping students with advanced knowledge and practical skills, enabling them to conduct research, develop innovative prototypes and create industry-focused solutions.
Highlighting the government's digital transformation agenda, the minister said continued investment in the ICT sector has laid a strong foundation for developing future-ready human resources through a range of initiatives.
Referring to the government's long-term vision, Anam said Prime Minister Tareq Rahman considers young people the driving force behind tomorrow's Bangladesh.
"Our goal is to create one million new jobs in the ICT sector over the next five years," he said, adding that AI will play a central role in achieving that target by driving economic growth, employment and innovation.
The minister also announced that the government and the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology would support the most promising AI projects developed by DIU students through the ministry's Startup Fund and other relevant platforms.
He said the government is also working to establish AI training centres across the country while expanding satellite-based internet connectivity to the grassroots to ensure wider access to digital services.
The newly inaugurated AI Research Laboratory includes 25 NVIDIA DGX Spark workstations, along with five high-performance computers powered by RTX 3060 and RTX 4090 graphics processing units (GPUs).
According to the university, the laboratory has appointed five full-time researchers who are working on AI-driven solutions to real-world challenges, including AI agents and product development. The research team has already developed platforms such as AI Professor, AI Proctor and AI Registrar, and is currently developing a Smart Classroom system.
The minister later distributed prizes to 12 winning teams across six categories in the AI Project Competition 2026, where 145 student-developed AI projects were showcased.
Dr Md Sabur Khan, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Daffodil International University chaired the session.
Among those present were Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr S M R Kabir, Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Md Shams Iqbal, Head of the Department of Computing and Information Systems Prof Dr Md Sarwar Hossain Mollah, faculty members, students and invited guests.