Telenor Asia: Mobile tech driving rapid ai uptake in Bangladesh

Mobile phones are now central to Bangladesh's digital transformation, enabling access to online learning, financial services, information, and daily task management.

Increasingly, these conveniences are being shaped by artificial intelligence (AI), which is rapidly transforming how people live and work. According to the latest Telenor Asia 'Digital Lives Decoded 2025: Building Trust in Bangladesh's AI Future' report, 96 per cent of Bangladeshi internet users say they now use AI regularly, up from 88 per cent in 2024.

The fourth edition of the study, based on a survey of 1,000 internet users in Bangladesh, highlights how AI is emerging across society and underscores the need for responsible, ethical, and secure adoption.

'As mobile phones continue to transform daily life in Bangladesh, they have become powerful enablers of smarter, more connected communities. With the increasing everyday adoption of AI, telecom operators have a unique opportunity and responsibility to build the secure digital infrastructure that underpins trustworthy AI. Connectivity is the foundation, and trust must be built into every layer. Telenor Asia remains committed to supporting Bangladesh's digital journey and ensuring that the benefits of mobile technology are accessible to all in a safe and secure way,' said Jon Omund Revhaug, Head of Telenor Asia.

Mobile technology continues to reshape daily life, supporting online learning (62 per cent), remote work (54 per cent), and financial management (50 per cent). Over the past year, mobile use has grown most in remote work (+39 per cent) and budgeting and expense tracking (+36 per cent). Millennials stand out in their use of AI-supported smart home functions, health tracking, and voice assistants, signalling an expansion of everyday AI adoption.

Nearly six in ten respondents say they use AI every day, with many relying on AI for content creation, personalised advice, and practical daily assistance. Trust in AI-generated educational content and AI chatbots is high, contributing to broader optimism about AI's impact on education and Bangladesh's economic prospects.

AI use at work rose from 44 per cent in 2024 to 62 per cent in 2025. However, only half of workplace users report that their organisations have a formal AI strategy, indicating scope for stronger institutional guidance. While writing and content creation remain top use cases, only 28 per cent use AI to automate routine or administrative tasks, suggesting significant room for deeper adoption.

Although younger generations are the most frequent and confident AI users, they are also the most concerned about issues such as over-reliance on AI, job security, and privacy. Their mix of optimism and caution highlights a desire for innovation supported by strong safeguards.

Jon Omund added: 'Alongside the optimism surrounding the potential of AI in Bangladesh, there is a pressing reality. As technology advances at pace, ensuring that everyone is connected and equipped to use these tools safely and effectively has never been more critical. Without access to connectivity or the skills to safely navigate the digital world, people are excluded from the digital ecosystem or left behind from the progress and opportunities that AI can enable. Our collective responsibility remains: continue working to bridge this divide and create a digital society where no one is left behind.'