Bangladesh Eyes Smarter Future With AI-Driven Services

Photo: Collected

Bangladesh is preparing for a broader expansion of artificial intelligence (AI), with the government placing the technology at the centre of its development and modernisation strategy.

The plan extends from government offices and classrooms to hospitals and farms, with AI expected to improve public services, decision-making and data analysis.

According to the budget document for the 2026-27 fiscal year, the government is undertaking a series of initiatives to deploy AI-based technologies to address inefficiencies and complexities in public services.

The document says wider use of AI across government agencies is expected to make administrative processes more efficient, transparent and timely while improving citizens' access to public services.

The government is also pursuing AI-driven initiatives to develop smart cities and make citizen services more user-friendly.

As part of its broader digital transformation agenda, AI is being incorporated into the education system to equip students with skills needed for future workplaces.

The government also plans to expand AI applications in health, agriculture and public services as it seeks to build a more technology-driven and service-oriented Bangladesh.

Electronics industry

The budget document identifies the electronics industry as one of Bangladesh's fastest-growing and most promising sectors after the ready-made garment industry.

It says affordable digital devices are essential for expanding the country's ICT sector. To support this, the government plans to encourage domestic production of electronic devices, making them more accessible to citizens while creating opportunities for exports.

With appropriate policy support, the government expects Bangladesh to emerge as one of the world's leading electronics manufacturing hubs within the next five years.

Focus on young entrepreneurs

The budget also places strong emphasis on Bangladesh's young population, describing young people as the country's greatest asset and a major driver of future economic growth.

The government plans to promote startups, freelancing and digital entrepreneurship through technology-based training and skills development programmes aimed at preparing young Bangladeshis for the global labour market.

It expects the expansion of the ICT and automation-based economy to create new employment opportunities and enable young entrepreneurs to contribute more to economic growth.

As part of these efforts, the government has begun work on a modern startup policy and plans to consolidate various startup funds into a unified financing mechanism to improve access to funding for innovative businesses.

The broader objective is to build an innovative and self-reliant Bangladesh by empowering young people and developing a stronger technology ecosystem.

The budget document says that with adequate policy support and investment, Bangladesh's young innovators could establish world-class technology hubs comparable to Silicon Valley in the United States, Shenzhen in China, Singapore and Dubai.