Speakers at the Bangladesh AI Business Summit 2026 urged the country to develop locally relevant artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to address real-world industrial challenges. The event, jointly organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and the Ministry of Science and Technology, emphasized the need for industry-academia collaboration and a supportive policy framework to accelerate AI adoption.
Held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka, the summit focused on the theme ‘AI-fication for Tomorrow’s Economy’. Participants highlighted AI’s potential to boost productivity, cut industrial waste, and enhance competitiveness across various economic sectors.
AI’s Role in Key Sectors
ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman emphasized AI’s potential in sectors like ready-made garments (RMG). There, it could improve production planning, quality control, and supply-chain management. In finance, AI could enhance risk assessment, fraud detection, and customer services.
Rahman also stressed the need for affordable AI solutions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). He called for Bangladesh to move beyond being a consumer of foreign AI technologies and establish itself as a global AI player by developing its own solutions.
Policy and Collaboration
Speakers urged the government to finalize the National AI Policy 2026-2030, incorporating input from businesses, technology experts, and academics. The policy should prioritize human resource development, research funding, and SME adoption, while ensuring compliance with international standards.
As AI transforms the job market, reskilling and retraining workers is essential. Stronger public-private partnerships and collaboration between universities, research institutions, and industries were also emphasized.
The importance of human oversight and safeguards in AI development was stressed, particularly regarding data privacy, security, and the risks associated with deepfakes.
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Solving Real-World Problems
At a thematic session, FLAXA President Syed Nasim Manzur encouraged young entrepreneurs to focus on solving operational problems in Bangladesh‘s industries rather than developing conventional digital platforms. He emphasized the need for technology developers to understand industrial challenges firsthand by visiting factories and production facilities.
Manzur cited wastage in the pharmaceutical and food industries as an example where locally developed AI applications could reduce losses and improve efficiency. He also highlighted areas like demand forecasting, inventory management, and supply-chain operations where AI could deliver tangible benefits.
Businesses could leverage historical sales data and consumer behavior to predict demand for products ranging from footwear to electronic appliances, thereby optimizing inventory planning and reducing costs.
To encourage innovation, Manzur proposed tax incentives for businesses investing in research and development, employee training, internships, and university collaboration. He also pointed out weaknesses in the intellectual property framework as a barrier to industry-academia collaboration.
Building an AI Ecosystem
Other speakers, including DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed and Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin, highlighted AI’s transformative potential across sectors like RMG, textiles, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. They stressed the need for an AI-ready workforce, with curricula aligned to industry needs and greater emphasis on AI literacy and data analytics.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam emphasized the importance of AI applications reflecting Bangladesh’s language, culture, and way of life, while ensuring the inclusion of marginalized communities.
The summit concluded with calls for establishing a national AI ecosystem through collaboration between the public and private sectors, as proposed by Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology Md Anwar Hossain.
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