Seminar on “AI and Governance

The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a seminar titled “AI and Governance: Global Technology Architecture, National Digital Public Infrastructure and Policy Directives” on Thursday, 20 August 2026 at the BIISS Auditorium, Dhaka.

H.E. Md Ismail Zabihullah, Honourable Adviser to the Prime Minister, Ministry of Public Administration, attended the seminar as the Chief Guest. Major General A S M Ridwanur Rahman, awc, afwc, psc, G, Director General, BIISS, delivered the welcome address. The seminar was chaired by Major General Md Emdad Ul Bari, OSP, ndc, psc, te (retd), Chairman, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

The keynote presentation was delivered by Dr. Syed Muntasir Mamun, Director General, International Trade, Investment & Technology and ICT Wing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Ashfaq Zaman, Chief Strategist, Dhaka Forum Initiative, also delivered a presentation, highlighting key dimensions of AI governance and the evolving technological landscape.

An interactive open discussion followed the presentations, focusing on the opportunities and challenges associated with AI adoption, the role of local demand in shaping AI norms, and the evolving security landscape. Participants also discussed the growing role of artificial intelligence in cyber operations, national security and modern warfare.

In his remarks, Major General A S M Ridwanur Rahman, awc, afwc, psc, G, Director General, BIISS, emphasised that technological innovation must remain people-centred, responsible and accountable. He highlighted Bangladesh’s active participation in global discussions on artificial intelligence and stressed the importance of ensuring that technological advancement ultimately serves public interests.

Major General Md Emdad Ul Bari, OSP, ndc, psc, te (retd), Chairman, BTRC, emphasised the need for a national interoperability framework, clear data-consent mechanisms and transparent AI procurement standards. He also highlighted the importance of Bangladesh’s continued engagement in international processes concerning AI governance and digital public infrastructure.

The Chief Guest, H.E. Md Ismail Zabihullah, emphasised the need for a cautious and responsible approach to AI adoption, particularly with regard to data privacy, consent and responsible use of technology. He stressed the importance of finalising Bangladesh’s AI policy and highlighted the potential of AI to strengthen government functions, including project formulation, planning and financial management.

The seminar brought together senior officials from relevant ministries and government agencies, representatives of regulatory institutions, development partners, members of the technology and financial sectors, academics, researchers, policy practitioners and students. The discussions provided an important platform for exchanging views on Bangladesh’s emerging AI ecosystem, governance frameworks, digital public infrastructure and the policy priorities required to ensure responsible and inclusive adoption of artificial intelligence.