Law on AI use to be enacted after expert review: Minister

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman today (2 September) said a draft law on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) will be placed before parliament after necessary additions and deletions based on recommendations from experts.

"We are examining the issue of artificial intelligence and looking at how it can be matched with the Cyber Security Act. Expert recommendations are necessary in drafting the law. After incorporating or removing necessary provisions, the draft will be brought before Parliament in the form of a bill," he said.

The minister was speaking on the closing day of the five-day "Bangladesh AI Governance Summer School" on the Asiatic Society premises in the capital.

He said the use of AI in the judiciary could create major risks in the absence of a specific legal framework.

Asking judges to remain extremely cautious about the misuse of AI and new types of risks created through the technology, Asaduzzaman said AI is creating new challenges for the judicial system.

He said judges need to become aware of AI and exercise their own wisdom and judicial discretion to protect the justice system from the impact and misuse of the technology. "It is now possible to imitate someone's voice, alter or superimpose images and present misleading information in a convincing manner using AI," he said.

AI can even influence people's thinking and decision-making, the minister said, stressing the need to develop an effective regulatory framework to address its risks and misuse.

He said false statements could be generated using AI, while fake evidence could also be created through manipulated images and other digital means to mislead courts.

Asaduzzaman said poor and middle-class litigants could suffer the most from such misuse, while influential people could also face new social and legal risks.

He also warned that judges could face pressure or AI-driven propaganda campaigns if a verdict goes against someone's preference, stressing the need for caution and a clear legal framework regarding the use of AI in the judiciary.

The minister said the government has no intention of banning AI. "Rather, the government will remain alert to ensure the positive use of AI while preventing its misuse," he said.

Welcoming the organisers' initiative, he said cooperation from all relevant stakeholders is needed to formulate an effective law on AI.

Asaduzzaman urged the parties concerned to prepare a draft and submit it to the government as soon as possible.

The "Bangladesh AI Governance Summer School" was jointly organised by the Asiatic Society, Society for Justice and AI (SJAI) and Legalized Education Bangladesh Limited, with the cooperation of Dhaka University.

Prof Dr Borhan Uddin Khan and Prof Dr Mohammad Ekramul Haque of the Department of Law at DU also spoke at the programme conducted by Deputy Attorney General Barrister Tasnuva Shelley.

Various aspects of AI governance in the judiciary, human rights, financial services, healthcare and public administration were discussed at the event.

Judges, lawyers, teachers, technologists and government officials took part in the programme.

Later, certificates were distributed among the participants.