AI isn't some futuristic idea anymore. It's already part of how the world works-helping businesses run smoother, content get created faster, and decisions become smarter. Around the world, countries like the US, China, India, and the UAE are investing heavily in AI. But let's be honest-Bangladesh is still far behind in this race.
While AI is already changing the landscape for businesses around the world, many of our professionals and students are still not fully engaging with it. Yes, AI usage exists in Bangladesh-but it's extremely limited. A handful of students across different grades are using tools like ChatGPT, but there's no structure, no roadmap, and definitely no national direction. In most cases, AI is just being used to write emails faster, summarize long documents, or create Facebook captions. This is surface-level usage, not innovation.
We are not leveraging AI to build businesses, create solutions, or power decision-making the way other countries are. Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, Claude, Grok, and Manus are transforming how industries function-from marketing and customer service to finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics. In Bangladesh, these tools are still considered "cool" or "interesting" but not yet essential. That mindset needs to shift fast.
At IMBD Agency, we've embraced AI deeply into our operations. We use over 60 AI tools to manage everything from campaign design and automation to content creation, market research, business reporting, and predictive analytics. We didn't wait for the local market to demand it. In fact, a German client pushed us years ago to explore AI, and that decision paid off. Today, we're not just faster-we're smarter, more efficient, and more competitive.
We've used AI to create storyboards in minutes, generate client-ready proposals, produce motion graphics, and test copy variations in record time. What used to take us hours or even days, now takes a fraction of that time-with better output. Our internal processes have evolved completely. Our content team collaborates with AI to brainstorm ideas, the design team uses MidJourney to visualize creative direction, and the strategy team runs simulations using predictive tools. Our SEO team optimizes content faster with AI-driven keyword analysis and SERP tracking.
However, we don't see the same momentum in the broader Bangladeshi market. Most businesses still rely on traditional processes. There's hesitation. There's fear. And in some cases, there's ego. Professionals are still skeptical-thinking AI will replace them instead of realizing that it can actually make their work more impactful.
We're already seeing job roles like AI Specialist, Prompt Engineer, and Automation Consultant become mainstream globally. In Bangladesh, these roles are rare and mostly misunderstood. If our workforce doesn't adapt, global opportunities will go to those better prepared. International companies are already outsourcing AI-based tasks to countries with better AI literacy, and we risk missing out unless we level up our talent pool.
Today, AI isn't just improving business operations. It's driving national economies. China's AI investment crossed $95 billion in 2023. India's AI sector is expected to contribute $500 billion to its GDP by 2025. Singapore is already building AI governance frameworks to ensure responsible innovation. Meanwhile, Bangladesh still doesn't have a clear AI roadmap. A few private universities offer AI courses, but at the national level, structured initiatives are almost missing.
We need to ask hard questions: Why don't we have AI-specific startup incubators? Why aren't our public universities leading AI research collaborations? Where are the government grants for AI innovation?
Globally, AI-powered platforms like Gemini are reshaping how people work-enabling smarter task management, voice-driven operations, and smarter business planning. DeepSeek is helping businesses write customized content at scale. Claude and Manus are being used to automate contract management, HR systems, and customer engagement. Yet, in Bangladesh, most businesses are still stuck at using AI only for basic tasks like writing social media posts.
Leadership-both government and corporate-must act now. We need policies that promote AI adoption, government grants to support AI startups, inclusion of AI education in mainstream curriculum, and public-private partnerships to accelerate innovation. Bangladesh must think bigger. We can't afford to just be a consumer market for AI innovations from abroad. We need to build, adapt, and lead locally.
At IMBD, we've seen how even small shifts in mindset can lead to big changes. Some clients were hesitant at first, but once they saw how AI improved their campaigns and reduced operational costs, they became strong supporters. Today, several of our clients demand AI-driven reports, AI-enhanced designs, and faster analytics solutions-proving that demand for AI-based services is growing every month.
Bangladesh has enormous potential. We have one of the youngest populations in the world. We have digital literacy rising every year. Mobile internet penetration is expanding. Freelancers from Bangladesh are already making a mark globally. If we strategically invest in AI skills, training, and platforms, we can unlock a new phase of economic growth.
My advice? Start today. Don't overthink. Use AI first to optimize small operations-like task management, customer communication, or reporting. Gradually integrate AI into bigger parts of your strategy, marketing, customer experience, and product development. Tools like Gemini, DeepSeek, and ChatGPT aren't just for writing-they can help you predict markets, generate leads, automate workflows, and stay competitive.
We've already missed the early wave. But it's important to remember that no technological revolution is ever truly closed off. Those who act with urgency today can still secure a strong position tomorrow. Countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and even smaller economies like Estonia have moved quickly to integrate AI into education, healthcare, and governance. These examples show that rapid transformation is possible when there is a clear vision and coordinated effort. Bangladesh, with its growing digital economy and tech-savvy youth, can still be part of this global movement if we move fast and strategically. But the good news is, the AI tide is just getting stronger. If Bangladesh commits now-with bold leadership, investment in people, and real innovation-we can still turn potential into measurable progress.
The writer is Managing Director & CEO, IMBD Agency Ltd
