Kathmandu, February 8: The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has prepared a draft of the ‘National Artificial Intelligence Policy, 2081’ with the objective of encouraging the systematic development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the country.
The ministry has sought suggestions on a draft policy that aims to bring about transformative changes in the country’s social, economic, and administrative sectors through artificial intelligence.
“This policy is needed to increase the use of AI technology in Nepal, encourage research and development, improve good governance and public services, create new business opportunities, promote innovation, and mitigate risks through the regulation of AI technology,” the draft policy states. “This policy has the potential to bring about economic and social transformation through the use of AI in sectors including education, health, transportation, tourism, agriculture, finance, natural disaster management, arts, and entertainment, by facilitating easy access to data, building a data ecosystem, and enhancing AI literacy and skills.”
The draft states that the main goal of the draft is to ‘increase the contribution of the AI sector to gross domestic product through promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, strengthening existing infrastructure, and sectoral coordination.’
The draft Artificial Intelligence Policy includes objectives such as building a safe and sustainable AI ecosystem, developing human resources in this field, promoting study, research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and improving the quality of public services. The draft provides for regulation and monitoring for the safe use of AI technology. Topics include building a safe AI ecosystem, developing digital infrastructure, data management, encouraging research and innovation, human resource development, sectoral development, and improving public services.
Structures such as an AI Regulatory Council, a National AI Center, and an AI Excellence Center have been envisioned for the implementation of the policy. The Council will set ethical guidelines for the development and use of AI, while the National AI Center is proposed to coordinate the development and use of the technology.
With its global use and impact, the field of artificial intelligence is becoming more widespread in the country day by day. This technology has been impacting sectors such as education, health, transportation, tourism, agriculture, financial services, natural disaster management, entertainment, etc. The ministry has stated that in the context of economic and social transformation possible with the effective use of AI technology around the world, it is necessary for the country to formulate appropriate policies in this area.
