The urgent need for AI literacy in Bangladesh’s schools
Schools in Bangladesh are already adapting to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence in education, especially through tools like ChatGPT, which are transforming teaching and learning methods. This transformation brings great promise but also serious risks. AI can make learning more engaging and accessible, but it also raises concerns about academic integrity, over-dependence, and the erosion of critical thinking.
Many teachers are struggling to strike a balance between innovation and ethical use, particularly in schools that lack adequate resources or AI detection tools. Rather than resisting AI, it must be integrated responsibly: by training teachers properly, encouraging students to think critically instead of copying blindly, and reforming evaluation systems to prioritize creativity, understanding, and honesty.
Artificial intelligence is now reshaping education, governance, and society worldwide, including in Bangladesh. Yet its misuse, through deepfakes, misinformation, fraud, and cybercrime; threatens public trust and social stability. Without a coordinated framework for AI governance, Bangladesh faces risks of confusion, electoral interference, and ethical breaches across media and education.
The children in schools today have no idea of the magnitude of this threat. Their minds are not yet ready to grasp it.
Globally, the AI-driven education market is projected to exceed 20 billion USD by 2027. Many countries are redesigning curricula, training teachers, and addressing ethical challenges to help students grow as creative and critical thinkers in an algorithmic era.
China plans to make AI education compulsory from primary to secondary level by 2025. South Korea is introducing AI-powered digital textbooks with government funding. Australia emphasises responsible use, Estonia's KrattAI initiative teaches ethical AI to children aged 7-19, India's YUVAi program integrates technological and socio-emotional learning, and the UAE aims to train one million people by 2027. Finland's Elements of AI course has already reached over 1.2 million learners worldwide.
Hong Kong has launched a mandatory 10-14 hour AI curriculum that includes algorithmic fairness and generative AI. However, according to UNESCO, 84 per cent of countries still lack comprehensive laws to protect students' data, heightening privacy risks, while AI systems continue to exhibit racial and gender bias.
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