Staff Correspondent

Experts, policymakers, and civil society leaders at the 21st Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF) 2026 have called for prioritizing human rights, digital safety, and inclusion in national policy frameworks as technology rapidly advances in the era of artificial intelligence.

The three-day national forum concluded on Saturday following extensive deliberations under the theme “Governing the Internet in the Age of Intelligence: An Inclusive, Safe, Resilient and Human-Centric Digital Future.”

Speaking at the opening session, AHM Bazlur Rahman, UNGIS Multistakeholder Consultation Group member and Bangladesh’s Responsible AI Ambassador, highlighted growing risks, including cyberattacks, personal data misuse, misinformation, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence. He emphasized placing human dignity and safety at the center of digital governance alongside effective remedies for victims.

Discussing the changing nature of the digital divide, former BTRC Systems and Services Division Director General Brig. Gen. Mohammad Khalilur Rahman (Retd) noted that while network reach has expanded, meaningful access now hinges on digital literacy, quality connectivity, and equitable opportunities to benefit from digital tools.

In a session on emerging technology, Prof. Dr. Lafifa Jamal of Dhaka University’s Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering addressed privacy concerns and AI risks affecting women, warning against inadvertent data exposure and shared phone usage.

The forum—inaugurated by BTRC Chairman Maj. Gen. Md Emdad Ul Bari (Retd) alongside UN IGF Secretariat expert Anja Gengo—also featured dedicated sessions on youth empowerment, fellowship programs, and responsible AI usage for children and young leaders.