Red tape delaying Tk159cr Korean grant for proposed AI hub

The government is considering setting up a Tk192 crore national artificial intelligence hub, but hurdles at the Planning Commission has been delaying the release of the majority of the project funds from South Korea.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has agreed to provide Tk159 crore for the hi-tech project, while the rest of Tk33 crore is expected to be funded by the government.

KOICA is also ready to sign the Terms of Reference (ToR) and the Record of Discussion (RoD) documents with the Economic Relations Division (ERD), but the lack of green signal from the Planning Commission is holding up the process.

The Commission received the project proposal on 1 December last year, but has yet to approve it.

Officials at the ICT Division and ERD have warned that the delays could jeopardise the Korean funding support.

The project -- "Fostering Innovative Technology Experts with a Focus on Artificial Intelligence in Bangladesh" -- is expected to be implemented under the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority by December 2029.

As per the project proposal, it aims to bridge an acute supply-demand gap in the Bangladesh AI ecosystem, where the number of professionals to cater to the growing consumer base is appalling.

To this end, it would build infrastructure for a national AI hub, prepare curricula for AI professionals, bridge academia-industrial divides, and develop startups. The project when completed would also ensure jobs for trainees and business opportunities for startups.

Under the project, 865 AI and digital professionals would be upskilled, 30-AI-centric startups would be developed, 10 international research papers would be prepared, Korean language training would be given to 230 people, and necessary infrastructure for the AI-hub would be developed.