Bangladesh's economic growth is entering a new phase, driven not by garments or remittances, but by Artificial Intelligence (AI) outsourcing. As global companies increasingly embrace digital transformation and automation, the demand for AI developers, voice-AI agents, data annotators, prompt engineers, and remote Machine Learning (ML) operators is rising rapidly. This shift presents a major opportunity for Bangladesh to position itself as a competitive player in the global AI outsourcing market.
The country benefits from a young, digitally literate workforce with strong learning capacity, many of whom are already engaged in freelance work via digital platforms. However, without targeted government support, Bangladesh risks being outpaced by countries such as India, Vietnam, and the Philippines. To capitalise on this opportunity, the government must establish AI-focused training curricula, support the creation of innovation centres, offer tax incentives to AI start-ups, and foster collaboration between universities and tech companies.
Strategic investment in AI outsourcing could diversify Bangladesh's economy, generate high-income remote jobs for young professionals, and reduce reliance on the garment industry. It would also help cultivate a technology-driven national identity, positioning the country as a contributor to the global AI economy.
This is a pivotal moment for Bangladesh. With proactive government policy and strong public-private partnerships, the country has the potential to emerge as a leading hub for AI outsourcing, benefiting both its workforce and broader economic growth.
Tanjum Karina Hossain
Student, Bachelor of Business Administration
North South University
tanjum.karina@northsouth.edu