Prime Minister's Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad has called on young people to step forward and use artificial intelligence (AI) to address various social challenges.
"Learning and adopting new technologies alone will not be enough to harness the potential of AI. We must also know how to apply these technologies to solve real-life problems," Asif said while addressing the closing ceremony of the second edition of "FutureMakers," an AI-based innovation competition organised by Grameenphone at a city hotel on Tuesday.
He said AI is transforming industries and economies worldwide, and it is crucial to ensure that young people have the necessary tools, skills and opportunities to keep pace with this change.
Asif stressed that, for Bangladesh to fully tap into the potential of AI, young people should be encouraged not only to learn new technologies but also to apply them to real-life challenges.
He said initiatives like FutureMakers create opportunities for students to work with AI, build their skills and turn innovative ideas into effective solutions.
The adviser expressed hope that such initiatives could play an important role in building a skilled workforce for the future and in the growth of the country's digital economy.
Team Labdhab emerged champion in the competition with "EcoClip," a device that can be attached to a regular stethoscope to detect possible early signs of heart disease.
Team River Sentinel became the first runner-up for developing an AI-based system to forecast river erosion. The project can identify vulnerable areas and issue early warnings.
Team Zinxed finished third with "Spasto AI," an AI-powered speech therapy app for people with speech difficulties. The app allows users to practise at home and track their progress.
The three winning teams received prize money of Tk 3 lakh, Tk 2 lakh and Tk 1 lakh, respectively. Members of the winning teams will also get the opportunity to join Grameenphone's "Next Business Leader" and "Nextern Internship" programmes directly.