Bangladesh is drafting a National Artificial Intelligence Policy centred on human rights, ethics and responsible innovation as the government seeks to harness AI for economic growth while strengthening safeguards against emerging technological risks.
Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam announced the initiative, being undertaken under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, at a meeting in Shanghai, China, on Saturday.
He was speaking at the high-level meeting on Global AI Governance, held on the sidelines of the four-day World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026 in Shanghai from July 17 to 20, according to a press release.
The minister said the government was overhauling the country's digital policy and legal framework to harness AI for economic and social development while safeguarding citizens' rights and addressing emerging risks.
He said Bangladesh was preparing an integrated and inclusive AI policy grounded in human rights, ethical principles and responsible innovation, alongside a series of complementary initiatives to strengthen AI governance.
These initiatives include strengthening personal data protection and cyber security, preparing guidelines for AI use in the public sector, introducing responsible data management standards, expanding AI education and curricula, and establishing decentralised AI Centres of Excellence across the country.
Addressing the international gathering, Mr Anam outlined four priorities for global AI governance: safety, equity, adaptability and international cooperation.
He called for stronger international collaboration to facilitate technology transfer, build institutional capacity, protect data sovereignty and ensure equitable access to AI technologies for developing countries.
"The future of artificial intelligence should not be defined solely by technological advancement but by human values, justice and inclusivity," he said.
Held under the theme "AI Partnership for a Brighter Future", the high-level meeting focused on AI's role in accelerating sustainable development, promoting inclusive economic growth, strengthening global security and improving the international governance of emerging technologies.
The event brought together heads of government, ministers, representatives from more than 100 countries, international organisations, technology companies and academic institutions to discuss the future of AI, its ethical governance and opportunities for global cooperation.
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