The AI Mirage:

Dhaka-In recent years, Bangladesh has made significant efforts to position itself as a leader in digital innovation among developing nations. From biometric registration systems to AI-driven governance, the country’s leadership under interim Prime Minister Mohammad Yunus has projected a bold vision of a high-tech future. But behind this veneer of progress lies a troubling reality: a pattern of misuse, overreach, and failed implementation that now threatens the rights and trust of millions.

Digital Security or Digital Silence?

The enactment of the Digital Security Act was initially met with cautious optimism. Marketed as a framework to combat cyber-crime and protect citizens online, the law has instead raised serious concerns about censorship and government control. Critics argue that it has become a legal pretext for silencing dissent, with AI-powered surveillance tools now scanning online platforms for signs of criticism against the state.

Citizens who speak out—especially on sensitive topics like corruption or political mismanagement—have found themselves under scrutiny, and in some cases, behind bars. The government’s use of artificial intelligence for content moderation has thus shifted from a protective measure to a punitive one.

The Padma Bridge: National Landmark or Fiscal Red Flag?

Among the most publicised controversies is the Padma Bridge—hailed as a symbol of national pride but marred by allegations of financial irregularity. Initially budgeted at 101 billion Taka, the project’s final cost exceeded 300 billion Taka. Social media criticism of the massive cost overrun and the lack of accountability prompted swift and severe government responses, including arrests.

Reports suggest that AI surveillance tools were used to monitor and identify individuals who posted content deemed critical of the bridge project. These actions, many argue, represent an alarming convergence of digital technology and authoritarian governance.

The Bio-metric Data Scandal

Perhaps the most damning development is the revelation surrounding the country’s bio-metric data systems. Designed to streamline government services, the bio-metric registration programme has faced widespread criticism for its flawed execution. Inaccurate data entries, untrained personnel, and systemic inefficiencies have led to denial of essential services for countless citizens.

The situation worsened when it was revealed that X-Info-tech, the company responsible for managing the bio-metric data of over 110 million Bangladeshis, had been coerced into providing government access to this sensitive information. Subsequently, this data was reportedly sold to Digicon Global Services Ltd. for 200 billion taka. This disclosure has ignited public outrage and raised urgent questions about digital rights, privacy, and the commodification of personal information.

AI in Security and Law Enforcement: Ineffective and Intrusive

Bangladesh’s foray into AI-assisted policing and national security has also faced sharp criticism. Predictive policing systems—designed to anticipate criminal activity—have reportedly relied on flawed and biased data, disproportionately targeting marginalised communities and political activists. Rather than reducing crime, these technologies have, according to human rights groups, exacerbated social tensions and reinforced discriminatory policing patterns.

Facial recognition and AI-driven surveillance have been used to monitor protests, particularly in politically sensitive regions such as the Chattogram Hill Tracts. Far from strengthening internal security, the AI systems have raised fears of a surveillance state that prioritises control over civil liberty.

No Oversight, No Accountability

The central issue underlying these developments is the absence of a robust regulatory framework. Bangladesh currently lacks comprehensive data protection laws, and there are no clear policies governing the use of AI by government agencies. As a result, AI systems function as opaque "black boxes"—decisions made by these tools are unchangeable, and there is little to no transparency in how data is collected, processed, or used.

Citizens denied services or wrongly flagged as threats have few, if any, avenues for appeal. This lack of recourse has deepened public frustration and further eroded trust in government institutions.

Public Trust Erodes

What was once seen as an ambitious digital transformation is now widely viewed as a means of surveillance and suppression. The public, already grappling with economic and social challenges, now faces a government increasingly reliant on technology not to serve, but to subdue.

Artificial intelligence was introduced as a tool to modernise governance. Instead, it has become a symbol of broken promises and a vehicle for digital authoritarianism.

Conclusion

Bangladesh’s experience illustrates the perils of deploying advanced technologies without accountability. AI, in its ideal form, should improve lives and streamline services. In the absence of ethical implementation and legal safeguards, however, it becomes a mechanism for state overreach.

If the interim government under Mohammad Yunus is serious about building a digital future for Bangladesh, it must prioritise transparency, data privacy, and civil liberties. Otherwise, the country risks turning its technological aspirations into a dystopian reality—where innovation serves power, not the people.

Author- Mahir Aiman