Prez stresses ethical, responsible AI use

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday stressed the need for responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) to boost productivity, modernise industries, attract new investment and create decent employment opportunities for young people.

“Technology should be for people, not people for technology,” he said after inaugurating the Bangladesh AI Business Summit 2026 in Dhaka.

The president said Bangladesh is standing at the threshold of a major transformation, with AI as one of its principal drivers, which would determine the future of the country’s agriculture, education, healthcare, industries, trade, employment and overall economy.

“So, today’s conference is not merely an event; it is a platform for charting our future course,” he said.

President Fakhrul said AI could become one of the major driving forces of Bangladesh’s future development, urging businesses to view the technology not merely as a tool for cutting costs but also as a means of creating new products and services, entering new markets and generating employment.

He stressed the need for safe use and effective regulation of AI, warning that unchecked use of the technology could pose serious risks to humanity.

“AI must not assume control over everything around us. We have to remain vigilant at every step,” he said.

The president also cautioned that AI should not aggravate Bangladesh’s unemployment problem.

“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that technological advancement enhances human capabilities, upholds human values and contributes to the greater welfare of people,” he said.�"UNB