PM calls for not assigning 4IR tools to hurt humanity

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called for making sure that the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) tools are not assigned to hurt or undermine humanity.

"We have to ensure that the 4IR tools are not assigned to hurt or undermine our humanity," she said.

The premier made this call while responding to a question in a talk at the event "New Economy and Society in Smart Bangladesh" organised by the World Economic Forum (WEF) at its office in Geneva, Switzerland.

Prime Minister's Speech Writer Md Nazrul Islam told the reporters after the programme that she also laid emphasis on making sure that the 4IR does not create further divides within the society.

"We want to make sure that 4IR doesn't create further divides within our society. We must build effective public-private partnership at the international level for this purpose," she added.

In this connection, Sheikh Hasina said that her government has started preparing the youth of the country for the 4IR and the future of work. "I'm confident that our boys and girls will not just follow 4IR trends, but will actually lead it," she said. 

She felt encouraged to see the kind of innovative works of the country's students are doing in robotics. "We've also seen great enthusiasm among them at the Innovation Fairs we have been organising across the country," she said.

The Prime Minister said that Bangladesh would certainly welcome an independent 4IR Centre in partnership with WEF.

The government is already working on having the right kind of legal, policy and institutional framework for 4IR in Bangladesh, she said, adding, "We've developed individual national strategies on artificial intelligence, internet of things, nanotechnology etc."

To this end, she said, the government is setting up specialised institutes for frontier technologies, nanotechnology and other issues in different parts of the country. 

"We've also launched Smart Leadership Academy to develop future political leaders for smart governance," she added.

Bangladesh, therefore, is keen in the UN's work on developing a Global Digital Compact, said Sheikh Hasina, adding: "We hope that this Global Compact will have clear guidelines for the international community on responsible and productive use of digital and frontier technologies."

She laid emphasis on putting up safeguards against cyber-attacks, disinformation and other vices.

"We have to collectively put up safeguards against cyber-attacks, disinformation and other vices," she said.