AI Policy in Nepal: What Stakeholders Say When the discussion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) started around the world, it has also found a place in Nepal. In the same context, a panel discussion on AI policy and its impact on national development was held in the program called ‘Artificial Intelligence and Employment Opportunities for Prosperous Nepal’ held in the capital on Sunday.
During the discussion, Nepali Congress MP Pratima Gautam said that if AI policy cannot be made, many works will be stopped. He says that no one can stop the daily life of Surya, so no one can stop AI. She said that the matters to be included in the policy can be decided by discussing with the concerned people.
In addition, she said that parliamentarians need more knowledge of AI while making policies. For that, she opined that companies and organizations working in AI should help.
“As AI is a new subject, parliamentarians also need knowledge of this subject. For that, if the companies and organizations working on AI support us, we parliamentarians can get involved in policy making,” she said. “If there is a good policy, good work can be done. AI should be disciplined and accountable. Because there may be unauthorized events in it.”
Induvikram Joshi, joint secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, said that the situation has not yet been created for Nepal to do exactly this in AI. He said that the way AI is being discussed and developed, he took it as a campaign.
“AI is a transformative innovation. While making AI policy in Nepal, universal principles should be adopted. It includes discussions with stakeholders, data analysis, etc. Only if we make a policy like that, it will be acceptable and implementable,” he said.
He says that since the Nepal government itself is promoting the issue of AI policy-making, it is a place where positive expectations can be made.
Similarly, Parag Shrestha, South Asia Director of Fujamsines, said that this is the right time for Nepal to work on AI. He opined that if this time cannot be utilized, Nepal will come later.
“There is no need to build any physical infrastructure to do AI-related work. The work of converting knowledge of AI is also quick. The biggest thing is that the results will come quickly,” he says. “This can be a golden opportunity to change the face of Nepal. Its basic aspect is to make policy. This work should start with policy. Nepal should do it anyway.”
Deputy Director of Data for Development, Pranay Sattam said that while AI policymaking is going on in Nepal, an environment that can be used by everyone should be prepared.
“AI should be open to everyone. It is necessary to have that kind of inclusion in the policy that will be made now. During the lockdown due to Covid, I was able to study online only because I had access to the internet. Students from faraway places were not able to study,” he said. The backward classes are also facing the same problem, and the context of empowering all of them should be included in the AI policy.