National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence – Bangladesh

The ‘National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence – Bangladesh’ was formulated by the Information and Communication Technology Division of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in March 2020. This policy marks a decisive step in the nation’s journey toward becoming a digitally advanced and innovation-driven society. It outlines the government’s strategic vision and commitment to harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) for economic growth, enhanced public services, and improved quality of life across all sectors.

The primary purpose of this strategy is to establish a sustainable AI ecosystem that aligns with national development goals and international standards. The policy provides a roadmap for embedding AI into key areas such as governance, industry, agriculture, education, healthcare, transportation, and finance. It envisions AI not only as a technological upgrade but as a transformative force that will drive Bangladesh into the fourth industrial revolution and reinforce its global competitiveness.

The scope of this strategy spans across institutional capacity development, research and innovation, human capital development, data infrastructure, ethical governance, and the promotion of AI-based startups. With a strong emphasis on collaboration between government bodies, academia, industry, and international partners, this policy seeks to position Bangladesh as a proactive contributor to the global AI landscape while addressing local challenges such as employment, service delivery, and digital inclusion.

Through this strategy, Bangladesh aims to move beyond automation and digitization toward a future where AI is integrated into the fabric of governance and society, empowering citizens, transforming industries, and enabling sustainable development.

strategy 01: research and development

Bangladesh recognises that a strong foundation in research and development (R&D) is essential for the successful adoption and innovation of AI technologies. The first strategic pillar focuses on building a robust R&D ecosystem that enables the country to generate original knowledge, develop cutting-edge AI applications, and bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical implementation.

This strategy outlines the need for coordinated efforts between academia, government, and industry to identify national priorities in AI research, attract global talent, and foster a culture of scientific inquiry and entrepreneurship. By investing in AI research and facilitating commercialisation of innovations, Bangladesh aims to establish itself as a regional hub for AI-driven solutions.

The establishment of national centers of excellence, the development of AI sandboxes for experimentation, and the fostering of global affiliations are key components of this strategic initiative. Additionally, the policy supports open platforms for research collaboration, shared infrastructure, and scholarships to nurture local talent and encourage their engagement in world-class research.

Goals and focus areas:

• Establish a national AI research center and regional R&D facilities in universities and institutions
• Develop innovation scholarships and fellowship programs for advanced AI studies
• Promote public-private partnerships to drive research commercialisation
• Create AI sandboxes to enable safe experimentation and prototyping
• Attract non-resident Bangladeshi researchers and international collaborators
• Build a knowledge hub to support AI research across disciplines