M Mesbahuddin Sarker:

VISION 2041 is a national strategic plan to strengthen the socio-economic position. As part of the Strategic Five Year Plan from 2022 to 2044, Bangladesh aims to achieve a high-income country status through industrialisation in 22 years. The main objectives of Vision 2041 are to increase export, increase production capacity through human resource development and encourage the expansion of investment. Categorically other specific objectives are (a) a per capita income of $12,500 (more than $16,000 in 2041 values, (b) poverty alleviation, (c) a 9 per cent GDP growth, (d) an investment-GDP ratio of 46.9 per cent, (e) a 15 per cent share of taxes in gross domestic product, (f) export diversification, (g) an increase in export earning by $300 billion, (h) an average life expectancy of 80 years, (i) universal health care for 75 per cent of the population, (j) 100 per cent adult literacy rate by 2041, (k) population growth below 1 per cent, (l) an effective tax and expenditure policy, and (m) the decentralisation of economic and administrative power.

If the objectives are successful, people will take another step forward. The unemployed youth have already proved their capabilities through freelancing and outsourcing. Today, many people earn foreign currency sitting at home without going abroad and make an important contribution to the economy.

The implementation of Vision 2041 should ensure the use of ICT in public and private institutions. In the progress of development, a model SDG state should be formed to achieve the sustainable goal of the digital Bangladesh by 2030. Therefore, with the aim of building a smart Bangladesh by 2041, the district administration in collaboration with the A2i programme organised a nationwide digital innovation fair and innovation Olympiad in November 20–21, 2022 for schoolgoers. At the fair, students created a model of the smart Bangladesh suitable for 2041 that impressed the audience. In order to achieve the overall goal, all the ministries of the government are working together to implement the Vision 2041 through public-private initiatives, local and international market expansion, industry branding, policy support and a business-friendly environment.

The information and communications technology department, the Telecommunications Department and the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services are providing technical support and digital platform for information exchange. Tthis way, the digital Bangladesh will turn into a smart Bangladesh by 2041. Four more specific bases have been announced for the purposes — (a) smart citizen, (b) smart economy, (c) smart government, and (d) smart society.

The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, on December 12, 2008 announced the creation of Digital Bangladesh as the main basis of Vision 2021. Over the past 14 years, the Digital Bangladesh’s network has expanded from urban to rural areas. Birth registration, money transaction, admission and employment application, land registration, utility bill payment etc can now be done online. The biggest and most powerful tool to reap benefits of the 4th Industrial Revolution is the young human resources, who will be more valuable than natural resources.

As a result of the 4th industrial revolution, a large number of people will lose their job, but new types of knowledge and skill-based workplaces will be created. Therefore, in order to use the opportunities of the 4th Industrial Revolution, our main goal should be to create skilled human resources. And this will require a radical changes in the education system. Keeping that thought in mind, a modern information and technology-friendly, practical and non-sectarian education curriculum has been prepared, which is being implemented from 2023 onwards. Students will learn through play, fun and hands-on learning instead of memorisation.

Three things should be given importance as the foundation of the 4th Industrial Revolution to achieve the goals. These are the development of industry through innovation of advanced technology, the creation of trained workforce and environmental protection. However, the 4th Industrial Revolution is so mechanised that it may even be dangerous for humans. Along with the displacement of people, the reach of technology may expand to such an extent that the progress of human civilisation may come to a halt. Just as electrified metro rail is a breakthrough for us today, in 2041, it may be completely driverless. Or in Europe and America it might be great to run factories with robots or the Internet of Things. But, it is much incompatible for our country.

Yet, we need to embrace the good side of digital transformation and avoid the scary side and move forward in parallel with the developed world. Because, after that we have to welcome the 5th Industrial Revolution, which will be free from horrors of the 4th Industrial Revolution and much more humane. The main siprit of the 5th industrial revolution is the direct interaction of technology with people, which will lead not only to the growth of technology, but also to social and human development.

In this revolution, SDG targets such as a world without poverty, a world without hunger, good health, advanced education, gender equality, drinking water, sanitation, affordable clean energy, welfare and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequality, sustainable cities and candidate communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, aquatic life, animals living on land, peace, justice and strong institutions, assurance of mutual assistance etc would be achieved. Hence, the 5th Industrial Revolution will make people use technology instead of replacing people with technology. Vision 2041 will win by removing all obstacles by using the right use of technology, talent and imagination of the young generation. A smart Bangladesh would win.

Dr M Mesbahuddin Sarker is a professor at the Institute of Information Technology, Jahangirnagar University.