CJ of Bangladesh Advocates Global Coop on Tech Regulation at Dubai Summit
Dubai, February 13, 2025 — Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, Chief Justice of Bangladesh, has emphasized international collaboration and regulatory impact assessments (RIAs) to ensure the responsible use of emerging technologies like AI.
He made this remark while delivering a keynote at the World Regulatory Forum of the Global Government Summit 2025 in Dubai.
His speech underscored the need for adaptive legal frameworks to address the challenges posed by rapid technological advancements.
His speech focused on the challenges and opportunities posed by emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the critical role of regulatory impact assessments (RIAs) and global collaboration in shaping adaptive legal frameworks in this regard.
According to a press release issued by the Bangladesh Supreme Court, the session was chaired by H.E. Maryam Al Hammadi, Minister of State and Secretary General of the UAE Cabinet, and attended by ministers, VIPs, and leading experts from across the globe.
In his speech, Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed emphasized the importance of designing modern regulatory mechanisms that are agile, inclusive, and able to respond to the complexities of an ever-evolving technological landscape.
In particular, the CJ highlighted how AI has transformed sectors like healthcare, education, finance, and governance, while also raising significant ethical, legal, and regulatory challenges.
Posing critical questions around accountability in AI decision-making, algorithmic biases, and safeguarding individual rights while fostering innovation, he remarked that AI’s global impact necessitates a harmonized regulatory approach that transcends national boundaries and urged policymakers and global leaders to work towards collaborative solutions.
In discussing the role of Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs), the Chief Justice particularly emphasized the need for RIAs in AI governance, ensuring policies remain forward-looking and responsive to rapid technological changes.
He pointed out that regulatory mechanisms are essential for testing new technologies and refining regulatory frameworks.
Dr Refaat called for the wider adoption of innovative regulatory tools to ensure that legislation keeps pace with technological advancements.
The Hon'ble Chief Justice also underscored the need for global cooperation and interdisciplinary collaboration to develop robust and inclusive regulatory frameworks.
He remarked that, given the borderless nature of technologies like AI, national legal systems alone are insufficient to address their complexities.
Therefore, he advocated for the development of legal frameworks that combine both civil and common law traditions to create adaptive and resilient legal structures.
He concluded his speech with a call for action, urging governments, global leaders, legal experts, and civil society to collaborate in building a fair and just regulatory environment.
"This is not just a technical or legal challenge; it is a moral imperative," he said, expressing his hope that regulatory frameworks would serve not only the present but also future generations.
