The training focuses on adopting AI safely, promoting inclusive digital spaces, and empowering youth-led innovation. - Kuensel/ANN
THIMPHU: A high-level workshop to strengthen Bhutan’s capacity in Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy and governance began in Thimphu on Tuesday (Jan 13).
Following an initial consultation, a one-and-a-half-day training session commenced to help policymakers, government officials, and thought leaders understand AI’s role in public service, ethics and cybersecurity.
The ‘Bridging Borders through AI’ initiative is a Canadian-led regional programme, implemented in partnership with Humber Polytechnic and Social and Media Matters.
Canada’s Deputy Ambassador to Bhutan, Mark Allen, said that the consultation is an opportunity for shared learning. “The world is going to be different at the end of these stakeholder consultations from how it was at the beginning,” he said.
While acknowledging Canada’s role as a global leader in AI development, Mark Allen added that Bhutan’s perspective on mindfulness and Gross National Happiness (GNH) offers unique lessons for the world.
He said that tradition and modernity must converge to ensure technology serves human well-being.
The training focuses on adopting AI safely, promoting inclusive digital spaces, and empowering youth-led innovation. Mark Allen said that the shared goal is to ensure AI supports equitable economic growth and helps address global challenges like climate change, health, and education.
Amitabh, an AI safety expert and co-founder of Contrails.AI, said that Bhutan must adopt the technology while preserving its cultural context and sovereignty. During the consultation, stakeholders and educators highlighted the urgent need for frameworks to regulate AI in the education sector.
Participants raised concerns about the digital divide, emphasising that a focus on rural areas is essential to prevent remote communities from being left behind.
Discussions also addressed the energy demands of data centres, which could strain the national power grid if not managed sustainably.
The consultation further explored the need for robust safety regulations to protect citizens. Participants discussed specific safeguards required in cases where individuals are misled or defrauded by large language models and other AI tools.
Ali Owayid, an AI expert in education and a faculty member at Humber Polytechnic, recommended that the importance of data and its implications be embedded directly into the national education curriculum.
He also shared Canadian best practices, explaining how Canada integrates AI into immigration, taxation systems, and healthcare. According to Owayid, introducing AI-driven teaching tools in schools has been successful when aligned with a clear national strategy.
Recommendations from the consultation will be compiled into a white paper and presented to GovTech by mid-March.
According to a GovTech official, the paper will serve as a reference for AI governance in the country.
About 40 participants from the government, private sector, and educational institutions are attending the workshop.
Similar programmes are being conducted across the region in Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India. - Kuensel/ANN
