First-ever AI art-a-thon to reimagine heritage through Human-AI Synergy

Bangladesh's first AI-driven design competition, the National AI Art-A-Thon, ended today at the ICT Tower in Agargaon, Dhaka.

Organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) under the ICT Division, the event was held as part of the Partnerships for a More Tolerant, Inclusive Bangladesh project, supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka.

This two-day event brought together a diverse group of participants—professional and student artists, creators, architects, designers, content makers, and technologists—for a creative challenge that used artificial intelligence to reinterpret and showcase Bangladesh's rich cultural heritage. Partners included Microsoft, the University of Toronto, the University of Cambridge, BacBon Limited, and Peace Maker Studio.

Speaking at the event as Chief Guest, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Hon'ble Chief Adviser at the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, emphasised the importance of ethical AI integration. "As we work towards comprehensive AI policy frameworks, it is vital to preserve the voices of our ethnic communities and cultural narratives. The creative community is pivotal in shaping AI's values and societal impact."

UNDP Bangladesh's Resident Representative, Stefan Liller, emphasised the importance of responsible innovation. "At UNDP, we see AI not merely as a tool but as a transformative force that must be shaped responsibly, ethically, & inclusively. Our global vision is to ensure that AI is human-centred, rights-based, and accountable, in support of SDGs"

Shish Haider Chowdhury, ndc, Secretary of the ICT Division, said in his remarks, "It is essential to guide and question AI, not blindly follow it. This competition encourages ethical engagement and critical reflection—particularly relevant for students and creative professionals."

Marianne Rabe Knævelsrud, Chargé d'affaires at the Royal Norwegian Embassy, praised the initiative for working to integrate cultural diversity better into AI tools. Bangladesh's diverse heritage deserves proper representation—not just by people but also by the AI systems we train and use."

Sharing the background of the initiative, Md. Faisal Bin Majid, Project Manager, UNDP Bangladesh, noted that while AI transforms creative industries worldwide, tools trained on generic datasets risk erasing distinct artistic traditions.

The Art-A-Thon drew an overwhelming response, with over 2,000 applications nationwide and 380 final submissions in two categories—professionals and Students. From these, 21 finalist teams were selected for the gala round. Winners and runners-up were announced in both categories, with participants showcasing bold and imaginative AI-assisted works that reimagine Bangladeshi heritage.

Guests included Sheela Tasneem Haq, Senior Governance Specialist, and Md Abdul Quayyum, Head of Communications, UNDP Bangladesh. Hossain Bin Amin, Project Director at BCC under the ICT Division, chaired the event.

The National AI Art-A-Thon marks a bold step in Bangladesh's journey to ensure that artificial intelligence evolves in ways that reflect, respect, and enrich its cultural identity.