Unemployment in Bangladesh today is not just an economic problem. It is a social, political and developmental challenge for us. On the one hand, a large part of the population is young, on the other hand, the number of educated unemployed is constantly increasing. Although millions of students graduate from universities, colleges and technical institutions every year, adequate employment is not being created for everyone. Due to limited government job opportunities, uncertainty in the private sector and the slowdown of conventional industries, unemployment has become a silent social bomb. This bomb is not just an economic problem. It is also having a profound impact on social unrest, depression, talent trafficking, criminal tendencies and mental health. In this reality, artificial intelligence or AI-based startups can be the gateway to new possibilities for Bangladesh.
AI or artificial intelligence has now ushered in the fifth industrial revolution, surpassing the fourth industrial revolution around the world. Artificial intelligence-powered startups can be a powerful way for us to overcome this economic crisis. Because, the characteristic of startups is to do something new by going beyond the conventional norms with the help of technology. AI is creating new employment opportunities in almost every field, from healthcare, agriculture, education, banking, transportation, manufacturing to entertainment. Many fear that AI will take away people's jobs. In reality, it is seen that although some traditional work patterns are changing, the opportunities for creating new AI-based professions and entrepreneurs are increasing rapidly.
A large portion of the youth in Bangladesh are skilled in using technology. The ease of access to smartphones, the internet and digital platforms have connected them to the global market. If these youth can be given the necessary training, financing and policy support to build AI-based startups, they will be able to create employment not only for themselves but also for others.
AI-based startups refer to businesses that use artificial intelligence, such as Bengali-language chatbots, disease detection apps for farmers, hospital diagnosis software, personalized learning platforms for students, virtual assistants providing legal advice, small business account management software or smart recommendation systems for e-commerce. These initiatives can be started with relatively low capital and can also compete in the international market.
The potential for AI startups in Bangladesh is highest in the agricultural sector. Farmers still face various problems related to weather, diseases, market prices and production planning. Using AI, it is possible to identify diseases, determine the amount of fertilizer, determine irrigation timing and predict market prices by analyzing land images through mobile apps.
AI can also revolutionize the health sector. There has been a long-standing shortage of specialist doctors in rural areas. AI-based healthcare platforms can improve initial risk analysis of diseases, initial evaluation of X-ray or scan reports, patient management and telemedicine services. New startups, software companies and employment will be created around these services.
The use of AI in the education sector can be more widespread. The learning speed and needs of students in Bangladesh are not the same. AI-powered education platforms can analyze the weaknesses of each student and provide individual learning plans. Numerous entrepreneurs can create new markets by creating Bengali language-based learning assistants, test evaluation systems, research support software and virtual teachers.
Small and medium entrepreneurs in Bangladesh can also benefit from AI-based solutions. Store sales forecasting, customer behavior analysis, automated accounting, marketing planning, and online customer service can be simplified with AI. Startups that provide these services can quickly become popular.
The global freelancing and remote work market is expanding rapidly. Young people skilled in using AI tools are able to compete in the international market in tasks such as content development, software development, data analysis, digital marketing, design, video editing, and translation. Many are starting their own businesses and later converting them into startups.
However, along with the potential, there are also some challenges. First, our education system still lacks adequate AI, data science, machine learning, and innovation-based education. Practical research and industry connections are limited in most universities. Second, it is difficult to get initial investment for startups. Third, spending on research and development is still very low. Fourth, there is a lack of high-quality datasets and technological infrastructure based on the Bengali language. Fifth, many young people have good ideas but lack experience in running a business, marketing, and entering the international market.
A coordinated national initiative is needed to solve these problems. The government should establish an AI-focused national startup fund. It is essential to set up AI innovation labs, incubation centers, and entrepreneurship development centers in universities. Research grants should be increased through joint initiatives between the public and private sectors. Policies should be formulated to provide loans, tax breaks, and attract international investment on easy terms for young entrepreneurs.
The universities of Bangladesh should be developed not only as job seekers, but also as employers. Students need to include AI, entrepreneurship education, digital business, design thinking, problem solving and project-based learning in their curriculum. Effective collaboration between industries, universities and research institutes will allow research results to reach the market faster.
AI startups can create unique opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Software development, online education, digital healthcare, content creation and e-commerce based businesses are all possible from home. As a result, the economic empowerment of women will also accelerate.
At the same time, emphasis should be placed on the use of ethical AI. The positive potential of AI can be hindered if personal information security, cyber security, algorithmic discrimination, copyright protection and accountability are not ensured. Therefore, along with technology, it is important to develop strong policies and skilled human resources.
An important issue in the context of Bangladesh is to foster innovative thinking, problem-solving skills and entrepreneurial courage in our youth. Instead of waiting years for jobs, the mindset of developing technology-based solutions to local problems should be developed.
Many of the world's biggest tech companies started out as small startups. In today's Bangladesh, many young people are taking innovative initiatives with limited resources. Bangladesh can become one of South Asia's AI startup hubs in the next decade if the right policy support, investment, training and access to international markets are ensured.
Increasing government jobs alone is not enough to deal with the unemployment bomb. Although government recruitment is important, it can never be the only source of employment for all the working people of the country. Compared to the number of new job seekers entering the labor market in Bangladesh every year, the number of government jobs is very low. Although employment in various government institutions can provide employment to a small portion of the total unemployed. As a result, lakhs of youth spend years preparing for government jobs and lose valuable time in their careers. This trend is also detrimental to the economy, as skilled human resources are delayed in engaging in productive work.
Employment patterns are changing rapidly in today's world. Automation, digital technology and the development of the gig economy have created new types of employment opportunities. Today, a skilled young person can create not only his own employment but also employment opportunities for many others through a technology-based startup, online business, software services, digital marketing, freelancing or innovative ventures. That is why it is important to make our education system employment-oriented. Universities should be developed in such a way that students acquire the ability to find jobs as well as create jobs.
In our country every year 20 lakh youths are joining to fight for various jobs, among them the majority are highly educated people with degrees from various departments of the university. The most effective way to defuse this human bomb of unemployment is job creation, and one of the main drivers of future employment will be artificial intelligence-based entrepreneurial ventures. So now is the time, from job hunting to job creation, to make this mental shift. If the state, universities, industries, investors and young society can simultaneously build an AI-enabled startup ecosystem, then unemployment will no longer be a burden but the youth power of Bangladesh will be the greatest asset of the knowledge-based economy.
That's why our state needs to create an economic environment where a youth can create new employment opportunities on his own rather than just applying for a job. It is only then that the unemployment bomb will be truly defused and Bangladesh's manpower will continue to become the greatest resource for national development.
The author is a professor of social work department and former dean of social science faculty of Rajshahi University, E-mail: fakrul@ru.ac.bd
