AI training centres to be set up in every upazila: Minister

The government plans to establish artificial intelligence training centres in every upazila across the country, Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam has announced. Additionally, a major announcement regarding the telecom sector is expected in the upcoming budget, Prime Minister's Adviser Rehan Asif Asad told a seminar on Saturday, May 16.

The announcements were made at a seminar titled "Future of the Telecom Sector: What the Government is Thinking", organised by the Telecom and Technology Reporters Network Bangladesh at a hotel in the capital.

The government is placing great emphasis on expanding the use of AI technology, the minister said. Young people will be trained in AI and freelancing through centres at the upazila level, and the government is working to implement the plan.

In his view, an additional investment of Tk 500-600 crore in Teletalk could enable the state-owned operator to surpass Grameenphone in the future, he added.

Prime Minister's Adviser Rehan Asif Asad said while the upcoming budget cannot solve all problems, he is hopeful of delivering good news. A roadmap with a five-year plan for imports will also be published to encourage investment from both local and foreign entrepreneurs, he said.

BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd) Md Emdad Ul Bari said policies are being reshaped by 180 degrees to protect consumer interests and establish balance in the business sector. The new guidelines will prevent any single operator from dominating, eliminating the scope for monopoly or duopoly.

The keynote paper was presented by Robi's Head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Officer Sahed Alam. Discussants included BTRC Chairman Emdad Ul Bari, Robi Managing Director and AMTOB President Ziad Satara, former AMTOB Secretary General and current Foreign Chambers of Commerce CEO T I M Nurul Kabir, Banglalink Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Taimur Rahman, and Teletalk Managing Director Nurul Mabud Chowdhury. Other than mobile operators, no officials or representatives from other levels of service provider institutions in the telecom sector were seen participating.

TRNB General Secretary Masuduzzaman Robin gave the welcome speech, while TRNB President Samir Kumar De presided over and conducted the session.