Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic dream—it’s the engine powering today’s global digital transformation. Across the world, countries like the US, China, India, and the UAE are rapidly embracing AI to streamline business operations, enhance productivity, and drive economic growth. But what about Bangladesh?
Despite having one of the youngest and fastest-growing workforces in the world, Bangladesh is still trailing behind in AI adoption. While a handful of students and professionals are experimenting with tools like ChatGPT, DeepMind, Claude, and MidJourney, the use is often limited to surface-level applications like email drafting and social media captions.
Why AI Matters Now More Than Ever
AI has already started redefining roles worldwide—AI Specialists, Prompt Engineers, and Automation Consultants are becoming mainstream. Globally, companies are investing billions to leverage AI for smarter task management, customer engagement, marketing automation, and data-driven decisions. In China and India, AI is projected to contribute hundreds of billions to GDP in the coming years.
Bangladesh has immense potential but lacks momentum. Businesses remain hesitant, stuck in traditional systems, and skeptical of AI’s capabilities. But delaying AI adoption means risking future economic competitiveness.
IMBD’s AI Journey: A Case Study
At IMBD Agency, over 60 AI tools are being used daily to manage campaign design, content creation, market research, reporting, and predictive analytics. AI-driven storyboards, simulations, and keyword optimization have streamlined tasks that once took days into hours—resulting in faster, smarter, and more cost-effective operations.
This hands-on experience demonstrates how AI can transform internal workflows and drive better outcomes. It’s not about replacing people—it’s about amplifying their impact.
The Challenges Holding Us Back
Bangladesh lacks structured AI education, clear national strategy, and industry-government partnerships. Our institutions are not producing AI-ready talent, and many startups see AI as a “cool” but non-essential add-on rather than a necessity. This needs to change.
We must ask hard questions:
- Where are our AI-specific startup incubators?
- Why aren’t public universities leading AI research?
- Why haven’t we seen national-level grants or policies for AI development?
A Call to Action: Start Small, Think Big
The way forward doesn’t require a massive leap overnight. Start by using AI to optimize small operations—customer service, marketing, analytics, content generation. Invest in training, upskill your teams, and explore free or low-cost tools like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and Claude.
Both government and the private sector must act now. With targeted leadership, investment in education, and strong policy backing, Bangladesh can still catch the AI wave and ride it toward inclusive, measurable progress.
Final Thoughts
We’ve already missed the early wave—but the revolution is far from over. If countries like Estonia, Vietnam, and Indonesia can drive transformation with a clear strategy, Bangladesh—with its digital-savvy youth and entrepreneurial energy—can too.
