Yunus orders drafting of law to tackle AI-aided crimes

As the rapid rise of artificial intelligence has fuelled a surge in fraudulent activities, severely damaging Bangladesh’s reputation abroad, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has directed authorities to formulate a law to prevent such crimes.

Addressing an Advisory Council meeting at his Tejgaon office in Dhaka on Thursday, Yunus expressed deep concern over how AI-enabled scams – including deepfakes, synthetic identity fraud, and automated phishing – are being used to deceive individuals and institutions both domestically and internationally.

He issued clear directives to relevant authorities to fast-track the drafting and enactment of comprehensive legislation specifically designed to combat AI-driven fraud and protect citizens, businesses, and the nation’s standing in the global community.

The Chief Adviser stressed that preventive legal frameworks must keep pace with technological advancement. “We cannot allow innovation to become a tool for deception. 

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed the developments at a press briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy on Bailey Road on Thursday afternoon. 

Shafiqul noted that the government is coordinating with cybersecurity experts, legal scholars, and international partners to develop robust countermeasures.

While AI holds immense potential for development, officials acknowledge that without adequate oversight, it risks enabling unprecedented levels of digital crime. 

Recent incidents involving AI-generated fake endorsements, forged documents, and manipulated audio-video content have already triggered alerts from foreign financial and diplomatic entities, raising concerns about Bangladesh’s digital governance standards.

The Interim Government is now expected to present a draft AI regulation bill within weeks, with provisions covering criminal penalties, platform accountability, and public awareness campaigns.