Invitation

SMART BANGLADESH SUMMIT 2023 MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE Date & Time: October 6, 2023 at 5:30 PM Venue: Hall of Fame, BICC, Dhaka CONCEPT NOTE On RESPONSIBLE AI FOR SHARED FUTURE 1. Foreword Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not merely a technological advancement; it represents the pulse of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Today, AI is redefining the contours of industries, economies, and societies across the globe. Its applications are sprawling into diverse sectors including healthcare, finance, transportation, and education, transforming them with unprecedented efficiency, customization, and precision. The fusion of AI with IoT, big data, and other emergent technologies is fostering a new era of innovation and opportunity, offering prospects to address some of the most pressing global challenges. Yet, it also poses existential questions about ethics, inequality, and the future of work. 2. A Vision for Smart Bangladesh: AI at the Forefront Building upon the triumphant journey towards Digital Bangladesh since 2009, Bangladesh is now aspiring to establish a Smart Bangladesh by 2041. The quintessence of the Smart Bangladesh vision is designed to harness AI's transformative power in enhancing competitiveness across sectors, for service and payments interoperability, unified access, unified identification, and efficient resource allocation to achieve a low-carbon economy. To achieve these milestones, structured 4IR plans have been derived integrating R&D into Bangladesh’s economic structure that include policies and incentives, skill development and capacity building, infrastructure development, public-private and global partnerships. In a nutshell, AI will play a transformational role in sectors, like RMG, agriculture, and health, through automation and enhancing Total Factor Production (TFP), thereby creating high-value addition for the economy. Although AI adoption in automation and increase of efficiency may raise concerns for future economy regarding job displacement and ethical practices, but an inclusive transition will offer a chance for human capital redeployment in innovative, value-creating roles, fostering a more resilient and dynamic economy in the world, where Bangladesh intends to play a vital role. 3. Ministerial Conference: Responsible AI for Shared Future ICT Division is orchestrating the Smart Bangladesh Summit 2023, scheduled to take place from October 5th to 7th, 2023. This event aims to shed light on the success of Bangladesh's digital economy, encompass the global perspective on the future of the digital realm, and delineate Bangladesh's potential contributions to foster inclusive digital growth. The Ministerial Conference will delve into the discussion of promises, challenges, and ethical dilemmas linked with AI and its integration into various aspects of modern life and create a harmonious roadmap for AI development that optimizes its potential for adoption and innovation while minimizing risks, ensuring a prosperous and equitable future for all. 4. Context of Discussion While AI holds the promise of propelling nations into an era of unmatched growth and efficiency, it also comes with a set of intricate challenges for future economies. While it can boost growth and efficiency, there are concerns about job losses, unethical use, increased inequality, and biases. These challenges necessitate a deliberate, informed, and collaborative approach. For countries to harness the full potential of AI, they must not only invest in its development but also in frameworks that ensure its ethical and equitable deployment. The Ministerial Conference offers a unique platform for global leaders to foster conversations around these concerns. By sharing insights, strategies, and best practices, the discourse emerging from this conference can guide nations on how to adapt AI in a manner that empowers their economies while safeguarding the values and rights of their citizens. Through informed dialogue, nations can chart a path where AI is a tool for widespread betterment, rather than a harbinger of division. 5. Key Areas of Discussion i. Understanding AI's Potential: Introduction to current AI technologies and their potential future applications. ii. Ethical Considerations: Exploring the ethical implications of AI and formulating global guidelines. iii. Regulatory Frameworks: How can governments collaborate to build regulations that foster innovation while ensuring safety and fairness? iv. Educational and Workforce Transformation: Preparing the next generation for an AI-driven world. v. Global Collaboration and Partnerships: Promoting international collaboration and fostering partnerships in AI research and development, as well as in addressing potential threats. Smart Bangladesh Summit 2023 Ministerial Conference October 6, 2023. Dhaka, Bangladesh 1. GENERAL 1.1 Introduction to Smart Bangladesh Summit 2023 In 2009, Bangladesh embarked its journey towards becoming a digital nation. The government's Vision 2021 initiative has significantly transformed the country's socio-economic landscape and improved the citizen’s quality of life. In 2021, Vision 2021 was achieved, and the country has been branded as Digital Bangladesh. To advance the gains made through digitalization, the government has organized a series of events, including the "Digital World" exposition. This event is one of the premier technology showcases and knowledge exchange platforms in South Asia. It provided a forum for exhibitions, the dissemination of accomplishments and insights, and the forging of connections among leaders, experts, policymakers, governmental officials, entrepreneurs, and academicians. The government now aims to achieve a Smart Bangladesh by 2041, harnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution and AI for transformative progress. In line with this, the ICT Division has planned to organize the Smart Bangladesh Summit 2023 from October 5-7. The event will feature technology expositions, business matchmaking, knowledge-sharing, seminars, and a Ministerial Conference. 1.2 Ministerial Conference Ministerial Conference is one of the major components of the Smart Bangladesh Summit 2023. The Conference will focus on Responsible AI for Shared Future, with discussions on AI trends, international collaboration, responsible development, and ethical deployment. It will be held on October 6, 2023. The program details are specified in the Annexure. 2. ORGANIZATION OF THE CONFERENCE 2.1 Organizers ICT Division of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology will host The Smart Bangladesh Summit 2023 in partnership with the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) and prominent ICT trade associations including BASIS, BCS, BACCO, e-CAB, ISPAB, FBCCI and other organizations like WE. Key entities like A2I and EDGE from the ICT Division, along with some other affiliated associations are also integral to the event's organization. 2.2 Venue The Ministerial Conference is scheduled to take place at the Hall of Fame within the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) premises. Situated in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, an integral district in Dhaka renowned for housing key public institutions of Bangladesh, the venue adds a distinguished backdrop to the event. 1  Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) BICC, one of the nation's best multipurpose convention facilities, boasts a total of 17 distinctive venues tailored to accommodate a wide spectrum of events, ranging from intimate gatherings to grand-scale affairs. These versatile spaces serve as the perfect backdrop for a diverse array of occasions, including state functions, social galas, seminars, conferences, product launches, annual general meetings, fairs, exhibitions, cultural performances, and even captivating Convention Centre reality shows. Notably, BICC has earned its reputation as the preferred host for a multitude of prestigious economic, social, and cultural events, including numerous international conferences and summits. The contemporary design of this center is complemented by its ample surroundings, featuring expansive parking facilities, lush lawns, gardens, and a captivating musical fountain. With its soaring architectural profile and substantial infrastructure, BICC imbues every event held within its confines with an Hall of Fame inherent sense of grandeur and distinction. 3. DATE AND TIME Date: October 6, 2023, Friday The day’s program will start with the opening of the show at 10:00 AM. The Ministerial Conference will begin at 5:30 PM. The program is attached as Annexure-I. Working language of the Ministerial Conference : English 4. OBJECTIVES OF THE CONFERENCE The conference will aim to: ▪ Facilitate Cross-Border Collaboration, ▪ Address Ethical and Social Implications, ▪ Develop a shared understanding of responsible AI development and deployment, and ▪ Strategize for Global AI Governance. 5. WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? A Minister or a Person of Ministerial rank or State Minister or Deputy Minister from each country can participate in the Ministerial Conference. One officer of the participating Government can accompany the Minister in the Ministerial Conference. 2 Nomination for the Minister and the accompanying officer: It is advised to send the nominations as early as possible and before 25 September 2023, Monday. Apart from sending nominations by courier, mail or diplomatic channel, it can be sent by email. 6. TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION 6.1 Travel Expense The Government of Bangladesh will bear the cost of travel from respective countries to Dhaka for the participating Minister and for one accompanying officer. Ministers will be provided Business Class airfare while the accompanying officer will be provided Economy Class. 6.2 Local Hospitality The Government of Bangladesh will bear the cost of accommodation for two persons (the Minister and the accompanying officer) per country. There will be arrangements of the transportation for the Ministers. Also a liaison officer will be provided for each participating Minister. 7. IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENT All participants must hold passports that are valid for at least six months beyond the time of their arrival in Dhaka. It is advisable that all participants obtain appropriate entry visas to Bangladesh from a Bangladeshi diplomatic or consular mission at their point of origin or en route to Bangladesh. Visa Requirements: Participants should contact the Bangladeshi diplomatic mission in their respective countries to obtain an entry/exit visa prior to their departure for Bangladesh. For participants of countries where Bangladesh does not have its diplomatic mission, on-arrival visa arrangement can be made at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka on the basis of prior information. 8. ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT Participating delegates will be received at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka by representatives of organizers. Transportation will be arranged for all participants from the Airport to the designated hotels. 9. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION 9.1 Time Zone: Bangladesh standard time is +6 hours to GMT. 9.2 Weather in Dhaka The warmest months in Dhaka coincide with the rainy season (April-September), while the winter season (December-February) is colder and drier. Bangladesh is a very wet country, receiving on average about 2,200 millimeters (mm) of rainfall per year. In October, there is a chance of occasional rain. With that in mind, most people would prefer to wear light dresses in Dhaka. The daytime temperatures usually reach 32°C in Dhaka in October with very high heat and humidity, falling to 24°C at night. 3 9.3 Foreign Exchange and Currency The exchange rate is approximately 1 US$ = 110 (Taka). Foreign currencies are exchangeable at the commercial banks in airport and/or at the hotel. Besides there are many licensed money exchange houses in the city. The Bangladeshi currency unit is the Taka. Bank notes are available in denominations of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 Taka. International Credit cards and Traveler's Cheques are accepted in major business outlets. 9.4 International Direct Dialing Dhaka is linked by optical fiber via submarine cable and satellite to almost all countries of the world. International call can be made from mobile and land line. Country code - Bangladesh: 880, City Code - Dhaka: 02 Mobile Phone: GSM network is operated by Grameenphone, Banglalink, Robi, Airtel Bangladesh and Teletalk; 9.5 Electricity In Bangladesh, the standard electrical supply entails 220 volts operating at a frequency of 50 hertz. The prevalent usage involves two-pronged plugs, although it's noteworthy that hotels and commercial establishments often feature 3-pin flat-type sockets. For optimal safety and compatibility when connecting appliances, it is advisable to verify the socket type before usage. 10. CONTACT DETAILS For sending nominations and for other related matters, please contact: a. Smart Bangladesh Summit 2023 Secretariat Phone: 880-2-55006822 Email: [email protected]. b. EDGE Project, Bangladesh Computer Council: Mohammad Enamul Kabir, Project Manager; Cell: (880)1555255255, Email: [email protected]. c. Bangladesh Computer Council: Md. Golam Sarwar, Director (Training & Development), BCC; Cell: (880) 01552306988, Email: [email protected]. d. ICT Division, Bangladesh: A.T.M. Ziaul Islam, Deputy Secretary, ICT Division; Cell: (880) 1720563929, E-mail: [email protected]. For other details of Ministerial Conference and Smart Bangladesh Summit 2023, it is advised to consult the website of the event: http://www.smartbdsummit.gov.bd 4  Annexure-I Ministerial Conference Date: October 6, 2023, Friday Venue: Hall of Fame Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka 1207 Tentative Program Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Time Description 05:30 - 05:34 Introduction by Moderator 05:34 - 05:42 Tribute to the Father of the Nation - Audio Visual 05:42 - 05:46 Welcome remarks by the Chair 05:46 - 05:55 Journey of Digital Bangladesh: Audio Visual 05:55 - 06:20 Keynote presentation: “Responsible AI for Shared Future” 06:20 - 06:40 Minister’s Speech of different countries 06:40 - 06:56 Interactions with Panelists 06:56 - 07:15 Open Discussion 07:15 - 07:20 Summary by Moderator 07:20 - 07:30 Presentation of memento and photo Session 07:30 End of program 5 Saatja: Mohammad Navid Safiullah <[email protected]> Saadetud: 06.09.2023 13:31 Adressaat: <"MKM info"> Koopia: ED BCC <[email protected]>; PS to Secretary <[email protected]>; Md Mushfiqur Rahman <[email protected]>; Director Training <[email protected]>; A.T.M. Ziaul Islam <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> Teema: Invitation to Ministerial Conference at Smart Bangladesh Summit 2023 Tähtsus: Tavaline Manused: General-info-Ministerial-Conference-23-v5.pdf; concept-note-MC-v3.pdf; Invitation Letter.pdf Excellency, Greetings from the ICT Division, Bangladesh. I am delighted to extend an invitation, on behalf of Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP, the Honourable State Minister of the ICT Division, the Government of Bangladesh, to our Ministerial Conference at the Smart Bangladesh Summit 2023. The Smart Bangladesh Summit 2023, from October 5th to 7th, marks a new chapter in our journey towards an innovative, technology driven, knowledge based smarter Bangladesh. This summit serves as a platform to commemorate our past digitalization achievements while presenting our ambitious vision for the future of Bangladesh. A notable highlight of this event is the Ministerial Conference, scheduled for October 6, 2023. This conference presents a unique opportunity for knowledge sharing and collaboration among countries and institutions. We've attached your formal invitation letter. We earnestly request your acceptance and physical presence, which will greatly enhance the event's value. Your participation will be a great honour. Kindly respond at your earliest convenience. Profound regards. Mohammad Navid Safiullah Additional Secretary ICT Division Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology & Convener, Ministerial Conference Sub-Committee of Smart Bangladesh Summit 2023 Mobile: +8801711850972 This message is designated for the recipient only and may contain privileged, proprietary or confidential information of People’s Republic of Bangladesh. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the original. Any other use of the e-mail by you is strictly prohibited and offensive crime. 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