The Future of Learning and Labor Market in Bangladesh

• In Event: Highlighted Session: Envisioning Education in a Digital Society

Proposal

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing global labor markets, creating both opportunities for enhanced productivity and risks such as job displacement and inequality. This shift is especially pertinent in emerging economies like Bangladesh, where rapid industrial growth intersects with socioeconomic challenges. The theme of "Envisioning Education in a Digital Society" aligns with our exploration of how AI and automation impact the learning and labor market in Bangladesh. The research identifies and assesses skill gaps influenced by cultural norms, policies, climate factors, regional disparities, and socioeconomic conditions.

We ask the following key questions:
1. Identify Skill Gaps: What are the discrepancies between current workforce skills and those needed for AI-driven sectors?
2. Assess AI Integration and Perceptions: How is AI being integrated across industries, and what are stakeholders’ perspectives on these advancements?
3. Develop Policy Recommendations: What strategic policies can address skill gaps and enhance the labor market’s adaptability to technological change?

Theoretical Framework and Methods
This exploratory study draws on endogenous growth theory and critical pedagogy, combining the focus on technological innovation and human capital development with a call for adaptive, inclusive educational practices. By investigating how AI and digital skills can be integrated into curricula, the study seeks to explore how these changes could promote sustained economic growth, especially among those affected negatively by AI-driven job displacement.

This study employs a qualitative research design to examine the impact of AI and digital technologies on Bangladesh's labor market. In-depth key informant interviews are conducted with stakeholders from various ministries, including the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, Planning Ministry, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. These interviews capture diverse perspectives on AI integration and its implications for the labor market.

Additionally, interviews with industry leaders from sectors such as higher education, educational technology, ready-made garments, energy, healthcare, financial services, telecommunications, and e-commerce provide critical insights into how these industries are navigating AI advancements. This approach is particularly suited to exploring complex issues such as skill gaps, technology adoption, and labor market transitions, offering a comprehensive understanding of Bangladesh’s evolving educational and employment landscape.

Data Collection and Analysis:
Semi-structured interviews are conducted with policymakers, industry leaders, and representatives from key sectors, including RMG, agriculture, IT, and services. These interviews, conducted both in person and online, follow an open-ended guide designed to facilitate discussions on skill shortages, AI adoption, and its implications for employment. This approach ensures an in-depth exploration of the research questions and helps develop actionable policy recommendations to address the challenges and opportunities AI presents for the labor market.

Key Findings
Preliminary findings reveal significant discrepancies between the skills being developed within educational institutions and the demands of AI-driven industries. The private sector is advancing rapidly, especially in AI and data technologies, yet the education system lags in equipping students with the relevant competencies. This gap is particularly pronounced in rural areas and among marginalized groups, including women, despite targeted initiatives by the Ministry of ICT.

Furthermore, ongoing projects promoting technology adoption lack coordination across ministries, limiting their overall impact. Stakeholders expressed concerns about the absence of evaluation frameworks, which makes it challenging to assess the effectiveness of these initiatives. Climate change also complicates these efforts, as it threatens the infrastructure needed for digital training programs, making sustainability a key issue.

Impact
The findings of this study provide critical insights into how AI and digital technologies are reshaping the labor market in Bangladesh. The study highlights existing skill shortages and offers an analysis of AI integration across various industries, pinpointing areas where targeted interventions are needed to strengthen labor capacities and economic resilience. The implications of these findings are significant for policymakers and industry leaders, offering specific recommendations for educational reform and workforce development strategies. These actions are essential for preparing Bangladesh’s workforce to meet future technological demands, which will ultimately support long-term economic growth and global competitiveness.

Contributions
This research offers a detailed analysis of how AI and digital technologies influence learning needs and labor markets in emerging economies, particularly Bangladesh. It provides valuable insights into skill gaps, technological adoption, and the socioeconomic implications of AI integration. By aligning with the CIES 2025 theme of Envisioning Educafion in a Digital Society, the study emphasizes the need for tailored educational reforms and workforce strategies to accommodate technological advancements. The findings offer actionable recommendations for policymakers, educators, and industry leaders, addressing skill shortages, leveraging AI’s potential, and mitigating its negative impacts.

Discussion and Implications
The study underscores a critical gap between current educational practices and the skills required for the AI-driven labor market in Bangladesh. This gap points to the pressing need for curriculum reforms that incorporate AI literacy, digital skills, and problem-solving capabilities. Without these changes, the workforce risks being ill-prepared for the swiftly evolving labor market, exacerbating inequality and limiting opportunities, particularly for marginalized groups such as rural populations and women.

Practically, the study calls for aligning educational outcomes with industry needs through collaboration between ministries and educational institutions. Integrating AI and technology skills into curricula at all levels is essential, along with establishing mechanisms to evaluate reform effectiveness.
Theoretically, this research underscores the need to rethink learning as an adaptive process, responsive to evolving knowledge and labor market demands. It advocates for integrating AI into education to create dynamic learning environments and calls for further research on how AI can facilitate personalized, adaptive learning for diverse populations in emerging economies.

Conclusion:
This study demonstrates the critical impact AI is having on the labor market in Bangladesh, highlighting skill gaps and offering policy recommendations to prepare the workforce for future technological advancements. The research provides actionable insights for policymakers and industry leaders, focusing on closing skill gaps and leveraging AI for economic growth. Future research should explore sector-specific case studies and address the socio-economic disparities that emerge from technological change.

Word Count: 987

Authors

• Fatima Zahra, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

• Anirudh Gajjala, University of Tennessee, Knoxville