Bangladesh to launch sovereign AI infrastructure within a year

Bangladesh plans to launch its own sovereign artificial intelligence infrastructure within the next 12 months, aiming to develop and operate AI capabilities using the country's own data, workforce and computing resources rather than relying primarily on foreign technology providers or models.

Prime Minister's Adviser for Posts, Telecommunications, Information Technology and Science and Technology Rehan Asif Asad made the announcement at the “AI and Innovation Dialogue” held in Dhaka on Thursday (October 8).

The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Governance Innovation Unit (GIU) of the Prime Minister's Office.

Sovereign AI refers to a country's ability to develop and run artificial intelligence systems using its own infrastructure, data, talent and computing capacity, reducing dependence on external technology providers.

“We will launch our sovereign AI infrastructure within the next 12 months,” Rehan Asif Asad said at the dialogue. He also said Bangladesh had secured the sourcing of computing chips and that major technology partnerships were already at an advanced stage.

The planned infrastructure is expected to be opened to the private sector, startups, universities and students, allowing them to develop large language models in Bangla and build AI-based services and applications, the adviser said.

The announcement came as Bangladesh seeks to place artificial intelligence at the centre of its technology and digital diplomacy.

The dialogue brought together government officials, diplomats, development partners, technology companies, startups, academics and think tanks to discuss the country's AI strategy.

The discussions covered five broad areas: AI policy and governance, connectivity, digital public infrastructure, AI and cybersecurity, workforce and startups, and manufacturing, jobs and economic growth.

The organisers said the dialogue aimed to identify concrete actions and clarify responsibilities among relevant ministries and agencies.

Opening the dialogue, Foreign Secretary Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury said AI had evolved from being merely a domestic technology issue into a key pillar of Bangladesh's foreign policy and digital sovereignty.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said AI could become a major economic engine for Bangladesh as the country seeks to build a trillion-dollar economy, while stressing the need to narrow the technological gap between Dhaka and Silicon Valley.

The government says the planned sovereign AI infrastructure will strengthen Bangladesh's technological autonomy while creating opportunities for local researchers, entrepreneurs, students and technology companies to develop AI solutions based on Bangla language and local data.