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Dhaka, October 30 — Artificial intelligence (AI) is not only limited to ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, or Perplexity anymore; during this era full of enthusiasm for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, billions of dollars are being invested in AI and automation as major global technology companies engage in intense competition, and this technological trend has now also arrived in Bangladesh.

When businessperson Selim Hossain contacted a private bank’s customer support recently, he anticipated following the standard menu choices. However, he came across something completely new.

“An AI responded to my call. It replied in exactly the same way a human executive would – it felt as if I was speaking to an actual customer service representative on a personal line,” he said, still amazed by the encounter.

It’s not only banking. In the past, big customer service teams were necessary, but now most tasks are managed via AI chatbots, which have already advanced beyond text-based conversations to live voice interactions.

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Faraz Ahmed, the chief executive officer of Global Leads Telesolution, a regional teleservices firm, mentioned that the sector has undergone significant changes in the last five years.

“Earlier, dealing with international clients needed a minimum of 15-20 team members, and sometimes up to 50 for big corporations. Now, five individuals can oversee an entire teleservice team – thanks to AI and automation,” he stated.

He mentioned that artificial intelligence can be taught to manage particular client communications. Human support is required only when a problem occurs. “By opting for sophisticated AI software rather than keeping extensive teams, we have transformed the whole teleservice employment framework in Bangladesh,” Faraz noted.

In the private employment sector, the well-known “curriculum vitae” or “resume” is also undergoing changes.

As per a research paper titled “Application of Artificial Intelligence in Human Resource Management: A Bangladesh Perspective” from the University Library of Munich, the majority of Bangladeshi businesses currently employ AI-driven automation for reviewing CVs and resumes.

Artificial intelligence is not only managing the initial stages of candidate selection but also conducting the first rounds of interviews. Numerous applications now mimic the roles of a full human resources team.

Mahmudul Hasan, an Assistant Manager in the Human Resources department of a software firm, mentioned that the majority of companies today utilize artificial intelligence for monitoring attendance, reviewing job applications, and carrying out initial interviews.

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He referenced AI-driven tools such as Olivia, HireVue, Leena, and Latis, which are capable of performing video interviews and evaluating applicants’ coding abilities—handling intricate tasks that human assessors might struggle with.

In a medium-sized company, an HR manager could earn approximately Tk 150,000 per month for duties such as hiring talent, conducting interviews, and managing attendance and performance evaluations. A single AI program can now manage all these tasks for about Tk 100,000 to 200,000 annually,” Hasan mentioned.

The role of ‘supervisor’ is rapidly becoming obsolete in Bangladesh’s textile sector.

“Our sewing machines now feature displays showing daily goals. If output drops below 50%, a red light appears; between 50% and 70%, an orange light is on; and when reaching 100%, a green light is activated,” said a worker.

This surveillance system is now fully powered by artificial intelligence. A semi-automated tool called Nidle is widely utilized in the industry to monitor the duration each employee spends operating a sewing machine and the amount of time they remain inactive.

Artificial intelligence is also revolutionizing video editing, content creation, and voiceover tasks. Shamim Ahmed, CEO of View Motion360, a company that produces video content on a contract basis, mentioned that Adobe’s AI technologies have significantly simplified their workflow.

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“With Adobe Firefly, we are now able to manage graphics, image creation, and video editing with minimal expertise. Within a few years, Photoshop and Premiere Pro will be entirely AI-powered. After that, high-quality content can be created without the need to employ designers or editors,” Shamim mentioned.

A 2019 UNDP report regarding Bangladesh’s employment sector predicted that by 2030, approximately 5.38 million individuals could potentially lose their positions as automation takes over conventional roles. For survival, employees will have to adjust and enhance their skills according to emerging technologies.

A 2023 report from McKinsey suggests that by 2060, half of all global jobs might be handled by artificial intelligence, leading to workplaces that previously required 100 staff being able to operate effectively with 50 or less.

Senior Lecturer in Economics at the University of Reading, UK, Dr Niaz Asadullah, expressed concern that Bangladesh’s rate of automation is surpassing the growth of a qualified labor force. “Advancing automation without enhancing people’s skills will result in significant joblessness,” he warned.

He called on the government to reform the education system so that graduates acquire hands-on abilities. “Current employees also require adequate training to stay competitive in a mechanized economy,” he further stated.

A Bangladeshi IT specialist, Imtiaz Hasan, currently employed as a cybersecurity researcher at the trading company Deriv in Malaysia, stated, “Many believe automation poses a danger to people – but it has two aspects. If you lag behind, AI can be a risk. However, if you keep learning and improve your skills, AI turns into a helpful resource.”

He highlighted that although Bangladesh is making progress in automation and AI, the nation should now concentrate on creating indigenous software and cultivating a workforce capable of adapting to automation, rather than depending entirely on external solutions.