AI must be treated as a programme to increase productivity and competitiveness: Public Administration Adviser

He said this in his speech as chief guest at a roundtable titled ‘AI for Bangladesh’s Next Growth Phase’ held on the occasion of ‘Bangladesh Innovation Fair-2026’ at Novotheatre in Dhaka on Sunday.

Ismail Zabihullah said there are great opportunities for using AI in the ready-made garment and manufacturing industries, agriculture, supply chains, financial services, health, education and public administration. By increasing the use of AI in these sectors, productivity and efficiency must be increased, along with its contribution to the national economy.

He said talent must be turned into research, research into innovation, innovation into enterprise, and enterprise into employment and exports. For this, he stressed building an effective platform with coordination among the government, universities, researchers, entrepreneurs, the industrial sector and investors.

The adviser also highlighted the need to ensure data privacy, cybersecurity, data classification, computing capacity and electricity supply in the use of AI.

At the roundtable, speakers emphasized giving priority to cybersecurity in AI policy, quickly incorporating AI into the education curriculum, and involving private entrepreneurs. At the event, ICT Division Secretary Md. Mamunur Rashid Bhuya said that work is underway to formulate a policy aimed at using AI for human welfare.