Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Challenges in Bangladesh
Adv Md. Mizanur Rahman :
Over the past 300 years, technology has significantly impacted our lives, shifting the economy from agricultural to industrial. As science develops, human dependence on machines increases, raising concerns about whether excessive reliance on machines will create more suffering.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now a common term, describing machines or computer-controlled robots performing tasks related to human intelligence. When machines understand human language, analyze problems, provide rational solutions, plan, and forecast, they exhibit AI. Notable inventions like the Super Computer and robots are part of this field. John McCarthy coined the term “artificial intelligence” in 1955, announcing it publicly at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, making him the father and pioneer of AI.
AI is prevalent in various sectors, including agriculture, industry, medicine, and even as news presenters. Ryan Ayers, a researcher and consultant in information technology and blockchain, highlighted six reasons to popularize AI. In transportation, AI enhances safety and prevents accidents.
In cybersecurity, AI analyzes large data sets to detect, respond to, and prevent cyber-attacks. AI also addresses risky tasks, making complex and dangerous work easier.
It helps combat climate change by improving energy efficiency, waste management, reducing carbon footprint, and supporting farming and biodiversity. It also contributes to a better quality of life and creates friendly robots that meet human needs.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the top 500 companies worldwide use AI to recruit their workforce, including companies like Unilever Bangladesh, Nestle Bangladesh, Marico BD, Linde BD, Standard Chartered Bank, and HSBC Bank.
In banking, AI has revolutionized services, allowing customers to deposit and withdraw money from machines, open accounts, request cheque books, transfer money, and apply for loans without needing to visit a bank. Even customers unfamiliar with banking systems can rely on AI to choose the best schemes and open accounts quickly.
AI also analyzes user images on social media platforms to infer personality, tastes, political ideology, and more. The software “Workday” predicts which employees are likely to seek new jobs or resign soon. Researchers predict that within 120 years, robots could handle all types of work. Some scientists suggest AI could predict a person’s death if installed in the human body, and many countries already use AI as a weapon in warfare.
Jack Ma of Alibaba predicts that in 30 years, there will be 10 million smart robots, performing tasks more reliably than humans.
Despite these advancements, concerns about AI’s future impacts persist. The Centre for the Study of Existential Risk at Cambridge University warns that AI could surpass human capabilities.
Elon Musk has likened the rapid advancement of AI to “Summoning the Demon.” However, Professor Stuart Russell of California University argues that AI itself is not harmful, but negative instructions from operators could lead to harmful outcomes.
The integration of AI into modern machines has led to significant progress but also poses challenges. According to McKinsey, around 800 million people could lose their jobs due to AI and robotics. The World Economic Forum’s 2018 report “Future of Jobs” warns that 75 million jobs could be displaced by AI, robotics, and automation but also mentions that 133 million new jobs will be created, resulting in a net gain of 60 million jobs. Only skilled workers who meet market demands will benefit from these new opportunities.
Ozlem Garibay, an Assistant Professor at the University of Florida, and her team identified six human-centered AI challenges. AI should benefit humans, prioritize human values, protect individual privacy, distinguish between different levels of AI risk, govern AI throughout its lifecycle, and foster a respectful relationship between AI and humans, ensuring humans maintain control.
In Bangladesh, AI development faces significant challenges due to insufficient infrastructure and a lack of IT-skilled workforce. The SME sector is outdated, and many institutions still use obsolete technology, producing substandard products. To survive in the competitive global market, the quality of SME products must improve, or the industry will face severe consequences.
Many entrepreneurs have already left the market due to their inability to adapt to technological advancements. This scenario is not unique to Bangladesh; even globally renowned companies like Kodak and Fuji failed to survive due to technological changes. Therefore, developing competent human resources is crucial.
Bangladesh has started adopting sophisticated technology, and many manufacturers now use advanced technology in their factories. Addressing AI challenges requires joint efforts from both the public and private sectors. The government has recognized AI’s importance and initiated several measures to promote it.
Initiatives include prioritizing science, technology, technical, and vocational education to develop skilled human resources. Schemes like the “National Skill Policy,” “National Youth Policy,” the “7th Five Year Plan,” and strategies to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals are in place.
The government has established 5,257 Union Digital Centres and over 500 Polytechnic Institutions to support this goal.
However, AI should be incorporated into the academic curriculum, and students should be familiar with IT equipment from an early age. Increased investment in IT infrastructure is essential. AI should be used in extracting gas and coal, and traditional farming should be modernized with AI to increase productivity. The National Board of Revenue can use AI to identify eligible taxpayers and increase government revenue by analyzing data on property ownership, bank accounts, spending patterns, and travel history.
In conclusion, change is inevitable, and it must be embraced positively. AI is a global phenomenon with undeniable significance, poised to transform how we live, work, and communicate.
It will reshape education, business, health, and communication. For developing countries like Bangladesh, AI presents both opportunities and challenges. In my opinion, the successful integration of AI depends on long-term policies, proper support, comprehensive cooperation, and visionary planning from all stakeholders.
If the country takes pragmatic steps to develop an AI-skilled workforce and maximize the utilization of its utility, undoubtedly, the overall scenario of the country will be changed.
(The author is Advocate and Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries of Bangladesh (ICSB).)
