BD less exposed to AI risks: Report

Bangladesh's job market remains among the least exposed to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) compared to other emerging economies, according to a new World Bank report.

Only 1.44 per cent of total jobs in Bangladesh are related to AI, far below 7.29 per cent in Sri Lanka and 5.8 per cent in India, the global lender said in its latest report titled "South Asia Development Update: Jobs, AI and Trade".

While the region's exposure to AI-driven automation is relatively limited, the World Bank warned that countries like Bangladesh must strengthen digital infrastructure and workforce skills to harness the opportunities of AI while minimising potential disruption.

"Only seven per cent of South Asia's jobs are highly exposed to AI without being complementary to its use, and are thus at risk of automation, well below the 15 per cent exposure in other emerging markets," the report noted.

South Asia's workforce remains largely protected due to its high concentration of low-skilled, agricultural, and manual labour - sectors less vulnerable to AI replacement.

However, the report found that demand for AI skills is growing rapidly, with jobs requiring such expertise earning a wage premium of nearly 30 per cent compared to other white-collar positions. In Bangladesh, most of the AI-exposed jobs are deemed "complementary", meaning AI technologies are expected to enhance rather than replace human work.

The country also has one of the lowest shares of "substitutable" jobs, those at high risk of automation, across South Asia. The World Bank suggested that Bangladesh and other emerging economies could turn AI into a growth opportunity by adopting the right policy mix.

"The rollout of AI is likely to follow patterns seen in past technological revolutions," the report said.

"Reliable and accessible digital infrastructure, a skilled and adaptable workforce, and an enabling business environment are essential to unlock productivity gains and limit job losses."

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