Bangladesh Seeks Bengali-Language AI Models for Classrooms

At UNESCO's Digital Learning Week 2026 in Paris, Bangladesh's Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milan presented the draft *National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2026-2030*, placing strong emphasis on linguistic inclusivity in AI-driven education.

Speaking at the ministerial roundtable on "Age Appropriateness and AI in Education," Dr. Milan pointed out that mainstream global Large Language Models consistently fail to meet the contextual and pedagogical needs of Bengali-speaking students. He urged the international community to develop native-language, inclusive AI architectures aligned with localized competency curricula, alongside strong data protection safeguards for children.

The Minister also referenced Bangladesh's plan to introduce a third international language alongside Bengali and English, aimed at improving global workforce mobility. He detailed efforts such as a specialized AI instructional manual for teachers and initiatives like *One Teacher, One Tab* to prepare educators for AI integration, while seeking UNESCO's technical collaboration to scale these programs.