Dhaka: The first national artificial intelligence (AI) readiness assessment report was formally unveiled today, aiming to develop a moral, inclusive, and human-centered artificial intelligent system. Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, attended the ceremony as the chief guest.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division, Access to Information (A2I), UNESCO, and UNDP jointly organized the event at the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) auditorium at ICT Tower in Agargaon. Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb stated that the publication of the assessment comes at a crucial moment as Bangladesh moves into an AI-driven era. He emphasized that decisions taken now will shape the country’s social landscape for decades.
He noted that the report clearly outlines Bangladesh’s current position in AI preparedness and identifies priority areas to ensure that AI strengthens government institutions without replacing human judgment, safeguards public rights, and prevents misuse. ICT Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury highlighted the report’s importance for finalizing the national AI policy, which is now in the process of enactment.
UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh, Dr. Susan Vize, described the assessment as both a mirror and a synopsis, reflecting governance, infrastructure, digital inclusion, and information-based systems, along with their associated progress and challenges. She emphasized the need for full participation of girls and women in AI-related education and workplaces, strengthening data protection and cybersecurity, and building high-quality datasets in Bangla and for small ethnic communities.
The report presents the first comprehensive overview of the country’s academic, legal, social, and technical readiness for AI. It notes that Bangladesh has already built a strong foundation in digital governance, with high public confidence in government digital services. However, it also points to persistent challenges, including unstable internet connectivity and power supply outside Dhaka, a long-standing digital divide between urban and rural areas, limited high-performance computing capacity, and shortages of skilled professionals in data protection, cybersecurity, and AI.
Prepared in line with UNESCO’s AI guidelines, the assessment draws on national-level data analysis and extensive consultations with public- and private-sector stakeholders. The report is considered an important milestone, offering guidance for safeguarding rights, promoting inclusion, and strengthening government institutions through responsible adoption of AI.
UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller, A2I Programme Project Director Mohammad Abdur Rafique, European Union Delegation Head of Development Cooperation Dr. Michal Krejza, and senior ICT Division officials, among others, attended the event.