Economists on Saturday said Bangladesh must adopt latest technologies to welcome as well as get into the fourth industrial revolution (4IR).
In order to move in parallel with the developed countries, Bangladesh also needs to espouse Internet of Things (IoT), Information Technology Enabled Service (ITES), Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other modern technologies at every sector, they also said. These suggestions came at a seminar styled ‘Digital Economy, Fourth Industrial Revolution and Big Data Impact on Bangladesh Economy’ at Dhaka School of Economics in the city’s Eskaton area.
In his speech, leading economist Professor Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed said, “World’s top countries are now busy with their own business. They are moving ahead fast with no concern for others. Against this backdrop, it would not be possible for us to become a developed nation if we lag behind them.”He mentioned technology advancement always does not mean a threat to human employment. “No matter what the latest technology is. It is humans who are inventing these technologies, and it is also they who will operate these,” said the renowned economist, adding “few people’s concern about technology’s taking over human resources gradually is therefore totally wrong.” At the event, Dr Muhammad Mahboob Ali, program coordinator of masters of entrepreneurship economics and postgraduate enterprise development, Dhaka School of Economics, presented the keynote paper.
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During his PowerPoint presentation, Dr Mahboob said Digital Bangladesh is now a reality. Across the country, a total of 5,257 union digital centers have been set up where over 10,000 entrepreneurs are working currently. Besides, there are more than 100 simplified public services, e-procurement and smart health cards. All these are helping towards 4IR path. Also, there are 8,500 post offices whose e-centres are spreading IT services to rural people. Mobile users of the country now constitute around 150 million while the number of internet users stands at 90.1 million, he added.
He further said now it’s time to invest in artificial intelligence (AI) which will accelerate job automation.
Both developed and developing countries need to move towards data-driven innovation. Capacity building from education sector is also essential. Machine learning and Big Data should be utilised for developing human being, he added.BCI President Anwar-Ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez said, “We will not have to wait much longer to go into 5G service as leading countries are already competing to adopt it. “We are also ready in line with the globe to adopt 5G in our country; it will bring revolutionary changes in our day-to-day life. Distance will reduce due to this innovation and learning will be easier” he said.
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Citing the country small with its own resources, Anwar-Ul Alam called to look forward towards industrialisation. He said latest innovation will help increase production and ensure fastest delivery and earn profits. “Education needs to be redecorated focusing on future global demand to be innovative and to stay in the competition,” he added. Among others, Pro vice-chancellor of National University Dr Hafiz Muhammad Hasan Babu, vice-president of Bangladesh center for Forth Industrial Revolution Syed Tamjid Ur Rahman, and former additional secretary and former executive director of BCC Ashraful Islam also spoke on the occasion.
