A Comprehensive Review of Artificial Intelligence in Bangladesh

This study aims to assess the current landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) research in Bangladesh, identifying key motivations, research domains, and the potential of AI in this region. We conducted a systematic literature review using cohesive keywords across Google Scholar and other academic databases. Of the 300 studies initially retrieved, we selected 70 through a comprehensive screening process. Findings reveal that Bangladesh-focused AI research began in 2010, with 80% of the chosen publications emerging in the last four years, reflecting growing academic interest driven by the country’s ongoing digital transformation. Approximately 40% of the studies focused solely on exploring AI’s technological potential, while 53% addressed both business needs and technological advancements. Key research domains include climate, food and agriculture, and healthcare, while areas such as economics, engineering, industrial operations, robotics, and security remain underexplored. We identified contributions to AI algorithms and decision support systems as the most frequent sources of value creation. This review highlights barriers to AI adoption in Bangladesh and proposes strategies to foster growth, emphasizing the need to address under-researched areas to support the country’s digital transformation. The findings provide a roadmap for researchers to identify gaps and contribute to the advancement of AI across sectors. By offering insights into the evolving research landscape, this study enriches the existing body of knowledge and lays the foundation for targeted future research. We have discussed the limitations and areas for further investigation.