AI, automation & the future of work in Bangladesh

There come tipping points in the economic life of a nation when small changes will just not be enough anymorea period when the very fabric of working, learning, and adding value is being turned upside down by new technologies that promise revolution rather than evolution. Bangladesh stands at one of these critical points in its economic life today. The talk about artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and data-driven automation is no longer the stuff of some distant future reality lab experiment in a few research setups in North America. It is already here with us, being a new reality in our industry, banking, agriculture, education, and everyday living settings.
The motivations of the write-up begin with a very clear objective, including the exploration of the impact of advancements in AI automation on the employment dynamics in Bangladesh, analysing the risks of the existing industries, and most significantly, unlocking immense potential in the coming times in the fields of manufacturing, services, agriculture, logistics, and governance. It urges the policymakers and leaders of industry, education institutions, and society in general to envision a bright future with a Bangladesh ready for technological change and a skilled and technologically empowered workforce.
The Global Shift: The world is experiencing a major transition. A new engine of economic growth is artificial intelligence. Intelligent technologies are transforming productivity and changing the nature of working itself. Robots handle factory-line work, which was hitherto the domain of human hands. Algorithms manage financial transactions, logistics, healthcare records, and client engagements with a level of accuracy and rapidity that is astonishingly good. Even agriculture is being turned on its head by technologies such as machine learning algorithms that can forecast rainfall and detect diseases in crops much ahead of human capabilities.
But artificial intelligence is doing much more than just displacing people, it’s transforming industries.It alters value chains, alters supply chains, and alters what matters most.The worldwide research, including a predicted economic value increase of 15.7 trillion in 2030 by a leading organisation like PwC, proves one thingthat’s the economic force with the greatest strength in these years, namely technology-driven growth.
For a Bangladesh economy so long used to a low cost-of-labor strategy and an exports-driven strategy, the advent of the AI revolution is a situation Bangladesh simply cannot choose to opt out of.Rather than being a factor about which Bangladesh needs to be concerned regarding its impact on the employment market, the pace of Bangladesh’s adaptation and utilization of the new international order reality is instead what Bangladesh needs to be concerned about.
Bangladesh Reality: Bangladesh navigates a terrain full of vulnerability and potential with the advent of automation technologies. Behind the support beams of Bangladesh’s economy have always rested employment-intensive manufacturing, foreign remittances, and agriculture, which are threatened with change brought about by the advent of technological advancements such as digitization and automation. But these same sectors can be turned around with the help of technologies such as artificial intelligence-driven advancements.
Reenvisioned Garment Industry: This is increasingly putting pressure on the ready-made garments industry, with a workforce exceeding four million employees and substantial exports. Other competing nations, such as China and Vietnam, quickly adopt robotic cutters, artificial intelligence-assisted sewing machines, and intelligent quality control solutions. Bangladesh must make use of these technologies, rather than looking at them from a threat standpoint and considering them a means of transitioning into the new world of technologies. Solutions include lowering costs with waste reduction support from artificial intelligence-assisted design, enhancing quality with machine vision, and streamlining design cycles with 3D solutions and simulations.
Digital Services Using AI: Bangladesh is home to one of the largest remote working forces in the world with close to 700,000 freelancers. With the growing demand for artificial intelligence services globally, Bangladesh is faced with a historical opportunity. Besides being a hub for teleservices, Bangladesh has the potential to specialize in data annotation, natural language processing, content review, algorithm audit, cloud management, cybersecurity, among other high-end services offered by a few selected technology hubs worldwide, with better remuneration rates and international exposure.
AI in Agriculture: Agriculture is an area where the need is immense, and the use of AI can help it become ‘smarter’ by being able to ‘diagnose’ crop diseases just with a mobile app, ‘track’ soil moisture levels with a sensor, and ‘predict’ floods and weather patterns with machine learning algorithms.
With agriculture becoming ‘smart’ with the use of AI, farmers will be able to ‘take informed and scientific farm-productivity decisions.’ Moreover, new employment opportunities ‘emerge with a rise in demand’ due to an increase in agriculture activity because of AI, including ‘drone pilots’ andconsultants.
Smarter Logistics and Ports: A technological upgrade is required for Bangladesh’s vision of being an average regional logistics hub. Mega infrastructure projects like Matarbari Deep Sea Port and Padma Bridge will be greatly required for achieving the full potential of logistics services with artificial intelligence technologies. Predictive analytics can help with custom clearance, automation will enhance warehouse space utilization, and artificial intelligence scheduling will relieve ports from congestion to restrict lead times but enhance exports.
AI in Healthcare and Education: The use of artificial intelligence assistance in diagnostics, remote healthcare delivery, and online educational platforms can significantly enhance access to quality healthcare and education. With the aid of artificial intelligence tools, remote medical staff can identify diseases much earlier than would be expected. Learning platforms powered by artificial intelligence can create personalized learning experiences, online testing, and even teaching for learners across the nation.
The Employment Puzzle: Risks, Transitions, and New Skills.
Though technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence, ignite fear about job loss, a more realistic outlook may be change within specific tasks rather than within jobs in general.
Jobs Highly Exposed.
A Bangladesh-specific automation threat includes low-skilled jobs in areas such as sewing, cutting, clerical work, data entry, and simple customer service. According to International Labor Organization statistics, most of the jobs in the garments industry can be automated. However, the lack of technology accessibility is one reason why automation is not always used despite being available. This is a gradual process, and jobs will be transferred according to observation, flexibility, and technology literacy needs.
New Jobs in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. There would be new types of jobs added entirely. There would be a need for manufacturers’ AI and machine operators, robot technicians, and digital workflow coordinators. There would be a need for data analysts, ML trainers, programmers, cybersecurity specialists, cloud engineers, and AI policy analysts in services. There would be a need for drone coordinators and precision agriculture consultants in agriculture and a need for digital diagnostics and teleradiologists, along with teaching assistants in education.
The Real Risk: The problem is not with automation itself but with a workforce that is unprepared for automation. Bangladesh is simultaneously battling three types of issues related to automation: digital literacy, lack of technical skill, and inability to adapt cognitively. Unless heavy investment is made in upskilling, the divide between those who can adapt and those who can’t simply widen.
The Youth Factor: With over 60 per cent of its population under the age of 35 years, Bangladesh has a remarkable advantage. However, this strength may turn out to be a problem if the required skills are not coupled with it. Young Bangladeshis can be leaders in the international digital economy with adequate education and training.
Global talent shortages an open door.
There is a talent deficit worldwide in artificial intelligence specialists, cybersecurity specialists, and data engineers. Global technology hotspots look for these professionals actively. With adequate talent development, Bangladeshis can fill these vacancies and earn international remunerations for working from home.
Remote Work and Freelancing. The freelancing industry has dramatically altered the landscape of employment because the coder located in Sylhet can serve clients located in Berlin, Toronto, or Tokyo today.
Data labeling and deployment of machine learning solutions require freelancing related to artificial intelligence because this field provides an opportunity for earning a high income.
The investment in high-speed internet access, e-security, and artificial intelligence-based online education can be very beneficial in developing a strong remote work environment in Bangladesh.
How Bangladesh Can Lead in an AI-Driven World:
For Bangladesh, the need for vision in the future of work is coupled with a need for urgency.
Building a National AI Strategy. There will be a great need for a National AI Policy, which must include standards related to data protection, principles for use of AI, automation roadmaps, and ethics. There will be a need for a single authority related to AI, which will handle innovation, governing its misuse, investment, and provisions for public trust. It will be synchronized with Vision 2041 and Smart Bangladesh Plans.
Beginning a National Reskilling Revolution.There is a need for a courageous national skilling program. It is important for courses related to AI, coding, cloud computing, and machine learning be included in the curriculums of technological and university institutes. Robotics and cybersecurity must be offered in vocational institutes. The high school education must be able to teach AI literacy and computational thinking. Partnerships with international tech corporations will help expedite access to top-notch education.
Supporting Industry Transformation. To Bangladesh, it would be beneficial to encourage those industries undergoing an evolution with the use of artificial intelligence. This will be enhanced with tax breaks for automation, financing assistance for technological improvement, and export benefits for smart factories.
Building an AI Startup Ecosystem. For Bangladesh to be innovative, it needs investment in AI incubators, university lab research, cloud access, and international tech collaborations. A thriving startup ecosystem will develop local technologies related to agriculture, healthcare, education, and logistics.
Guarantees of Ethical AI and Worker Rights. As AI makes these decisions, Bangladesh must protect its people with a strong right to data privacy legislation, coupled with accountability tools. Protective services for workers include assistance with re-training, which helps workers upgrade skills along with automation in order to support a fair transition.
AI in the Government. The capabilities of AI include being able to greatly enhance governance matters such as predictive disaster models, automated court systems, smart land governance, and providing public services online. Such reforms can prevent corruption, increase efficiency, and regain the public’s favor.
The Road Ahead: Bangladesh is standing at a defining moment. The future of the economy and society is being chalked out with the choices being made at present. A ‘case for embracing artificial intelligence’ is a decision that is no longer an option, but an imperative for the nation.
The future of working will be less about machines and more about the effectiveness of humans and machines working together. It is a reality that robots won’t replace humans; rather, robots will enable humans. Countries who are ready for this reality will write the next story of the world.
Bangladesh has what it takesyouth energy, a booming Internet economy, a nascent startup ecosystem, and a vision for the nation. It is a challenge now to start moving quickly with an eye on a future that can be fueled, instead of exploited, by bright brains rather than just low costs.
With a matching level of investment in humans by Bangladesh, Bangladesh will be a player in the AI economyone that will develop enduring prosperity, equity, and resilience for the world. The moment is here already, and the world will not wait.

Dr. Serajul I. Bhuiyan is a professor of journalism and mass communications at Savannah State University, Savannah, Georgia, USA.
sibhuiyan@yahoo.com