Youth at the Center of Bangladesh’s Responsible AI Journey

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) convened a two-day dialogue titled "AI in the Development Landscape: Harnessing Innovation and Impact" in Dhaka on 22-23 September, placing youth voices at the heart of Bangladesh's journey toward responsible AI adoption.

The dialogue brought together policymakers, development partners, private sector leaders, youth innovators, and civil society to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can accelerate human development while ensuring equity, inclusion, and accountability.

Building on the momentum of UNDP's Digital Khichuri Challenge (DKC), its flagship youth platform under the Partnerships for a More Tolerant, Inclusive Bangladesh (PTIB) project, young changemakers showcased digital innovations that promote trust, resilience, and social cohesion. Their insights directly fed into the policy discussions, underscoring the vital role of youth in shaping responsible AI solutions.

"AI is already embedded in our systems, but it is human intelligence that ultimately matters," said Shish Haider Chowdhury, ndc, Secretary, ICT Division, emphasizing ethical safeguards, interoperability, and data security.

Highlighting AI's transformative role in governance, Md Kamrul Hassan, Joint Secretary, Cabinet Division, said: "AI represents a unique opportunity to make government more transparent and accountable. But inclusive frameworks must reflect the voices of women, marginalized groups, and civil society to ensure equity and fairness."

From a localization perspective, Md. Abdur Rofiq, Project Director (Joint Secretary), a2i, stressed: "Bangladesh cannot simply copy global models. AI solutions must reflect our realities-whether in climate action, healthcare, or governance."

Calling attention to critical gaps, Dr. Susan Vize, UNESCO Country Representative, urged expansion of Bangla-language AI tools and stronger safeguards: "Personal data protection and equitable access must be prioritized to ensure innovation remains inclusive."

Reinforcing UNDP's commitment, Sonali Dayaratne, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh, said: "The most important thing is that youth are engaged and informed about the use of AI for human development. Initiatives like UNDP's FutureNation upskilling platform are bridging the gap between young graduates and the skills demanded by the private sector in an AI-driven future."

The event also featured the launch of the Human Development Report 2025, presented by Owais Parray, UNDP's Country Economic Advisor, which echoed the global call for AI that enhances human agency, trust, and inclusivity.

In closing, participants reaffirmed their collective commitment to advancing responsible AI adoption in Bangladesh, through ethical governance, stronger collaboration, and youth empowerment, ensuring digital transformation remains inclusive, innovative, and leaves no one behind.