Bangladesh will establish a $13 million national artificial intelligence hub in Dhaka with financial and technical support from South Korea, creating a dedicated centre for AI training, applied research and collaboration between universities, industry and government.
The project will be located at Software Technology Park-2 in Kawran Bazar and is scheduled to run from 2026 to 2029.
South Korea will provide the full $13 million cost as a grant through the Korea International Cooperation Agency, while the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority will implement the initiative.
AI training and applied research at the centre
The AI Hub is intended to become a national platform for advanced AI education and research.
Rather than constructing an entirely new facility, the project will renovate existing floors at Software Technology Park-2 and convert them into specialised spaces for training, research and industry collaboration.
Students and technology professionals will be able to access advanced AI education, while instructors will receive training designed to strengthen local teaching capacity.
The project will also provide facilities for applied research, with an emphasis on connecting academic institutions more closely with businesses and government agencies.
South Korea to provide full project funding
Bangladesh and South Korea formalised the initiative through an agreement involving KOICA, Bangladesh’s ICT Division and the Economic Relations Division of the Ministry of Finance.
KOICA will finance the entire project through grant funding.
The Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority will oversee implementation, giving the project a direct link to the country’s wider technology infrastructure and digital economy programmes.
The four-year timeline gives the government and its partners a window to build institutional capacity rather than treat the hub as a short-term training initiative.
Workforce development is a central objective
The government is positioning the hub as a response to rising demand for more advanced digital skills.
As AI adoption expands across industries, Bangladesh is seeking to move beyond basic IT services and develop professionals capable of working in areas such as machine learning, applied AI and advanced software development.
The hub is expected to support both domestic employment and overseas opportunities for Bangladeshi technology professionals.
South Korea is also being identified as a potential destination for skilled workers emerging from the programme.
Universities and industry to work more closely
A major objective of the project is to create stronger links between universities and technology companies.
The centre is expected to give researchers opportunities to work with businesses on practical applications of AI, while also allowing companies to engage with students and instructors developing specialised skills.
That approach could help reduce the gap between academic training and commercial requirements.
Government agencies are also expected to participate, creating a three-way model involving academia, industry and the public sector.
Bangladesh looks to strengthen advanced technology capabilities
The initiative comes as Bangladesh seeks to broaden its position in the global digital economy.
The country has built a substantial base in software services, outsourcing and digital platforms, but more advanced AI capabilities are becoming increasingly important for attracting investment and improving productivity.
A dedicated national hub could help concentrate skills, research and institutional support in one location while giving the government a clearer platform for coordinating AI capacity-building efforts.
Why this matters
The significance of the AI Hub lies in its focus on capability-building rather than infrastructure alone.
Bangladesh does not simply need access to AI tools. It needs trained professionals, instructors, researchers and stronger links between universities and industry if it wants to participate in higher-value areas of the digital economy.
The South Korean grant also reduces the financial burden on Bangladesh while bringing in technical support from a country with strong experience in advanced technology development.
If implemented effectively, the hub could help create a more structured pipeline from education to research and employment.
Editor’s note
The most important aspect of the project is that it is being designed as a national AI capacity platform rather than a standalone training centre.
The combination of instructor development, applied research, industry collaboration and student training gives the initiative a broader mandate.
The real test will be whether the hub can produce commercially relevant skills and research outcomes by 2029, and whether companies ultimately use it as a source of talent and innovation rather than viewing it primarily as a government-led education project.
