Meta, in partnership with consulting firm LightCastle Partners, has officially launched its Live Skilling initiative in Bangladesh, aimed at supporting small enterprises through responsible AI adoption.
The launch event, titled “Enabling AI for Small Enterprises: Policy, Innovation, and Inclusion”, brought together government officials, tech leaders, and private sector stakeholders to discuss AI’s role in advancing Bangladesh’s digital economy.
Held recently at Hotel Amari in Gulshan, the event opened with remarks from Ruici Tio, regional lead of Safety & Integrity Policy Programs (APAC) at Meta, who introduced Meta’s AI tools and the Live Skilling programme.
Simon Milner, vice president of Public Policy for Asia-Pacific at Meta, said the initiative is designed to provide businesses with training and on-demand resources, regardless of their growth stage.
A product demonstration by Shahir Chowdhury, CEO and founder of the edtech company Shikho, showcased how AI is already transforming digital learning and accessibility in Bangladesh.
The event featured a panel discussion moderated by Bijon Islam, co-founder and CEO of LightCastle Partners. Panelists included Shihab Quader, director general for SDGs, and Sahariar Hasan Jiisun, National Consultant at a2i, alongside Meta’s Ruzan Sarwar and Shikho’s Shahir Chowdhury.
Shihab Quader stressed the need for regulatory frameworks that enable rather than restrict AI adoption, highlighting the importance of ethical guidelines and innovation space for small businesses.
The discussion focused on AI’s potential to boost SME productivity and improve service delivery, calling for aligned policies and infrastructure to support inclusive AI use.
Over 75 guests, including government and private sector representatives, attended the event. A fireside chat between Simon Milner and Dhaka AI Labs founder Oli Ahad explored open-source AI models, collaboration, and responsible innovation as drivers of Bangladesh’s economic growth.
Meta’s Live Skilling launch marks a key milestone in empowering local businesses and innovators to harness AI for sustainable development.