𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐈 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬

…𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒖𝒑𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔, 𝒂 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑨𝑰 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, 𝑩𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒕𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑨𝑰 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕.

By Lalit Gurung

Starting with the 2018 Information, Communication, and Media (ICM) Act, Bhutan has made significant strides in laying the groundwork for Artificial Intelligence (AI) development. The country is enhancing its infrastructure with plans for a third internet gateway and improvements to the Government Data Center, all while benefiting from a fiber optic backbone and widespread 4G coverage, providing a solid foundation for AI initiatives. Furthermore, the country is developing a Data Governance Framework to strengthen data management practices, essential for AI adoption.

However, challenges persist. While basic IT literacy programs are in progress, there is a significant gap in specialized AI, machine learning, and data science skills. Funding for AI projects remains limited, and there is no comprehensive AI strategy to guide the development of a national AI ecosystem. The country’s reliance on neighboring nations for international bandwidth continues to result in high internet costs, and there is limited access to high-end AI hardware, impeding AI development and testing.

The Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) has established key technological foundations, including secure digital platforms and system interoperability, and is working to integrate AI and emerging technologies into its 13th Five-Year Plan. The GovTech Agency is leading the exploration of AI’s potential in government operations, ensuring a coordinated approach to its integration. In partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the country is committed to leveraging AI for improved public service delivery. As part of this effort, the National AI Strategy is being developed, with a focus on ethical AI adoption.

This effort is supported by UNDP’s AI Readiness Assessment (AIRA), which evaluates Bhutan’s readiness for AI and highlights critical factors for the responsible development of AI technologies. The assessment provides recommendations for policy, infrastructure, and skill development, with a particular focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

One of the most recent developments is the formation of the Bhutan AI Society, a newly founded AI community, with the aim to foster dialogue, networking, and bolster the responsible advancement of AI in Bhutan. Another notable collaboration is an international project led by 13 GovTech Agency in partnership with Druk Holding Investments (DHI), Thimphu Tech Park Limited (TTPL), and Omdena to establish an AI lab that aims to build local capacity through collaboration with global experts and promote AI startups in the country with global market access. The programme is also intended to foster connections between local engineers and global developers and experts.

The National Digital Identity (NDI) is an important gateway for creating a secure and integrated digital identity platform for the public. It involves the integration of biometric data, personal identification, and other critical information into a unified digital identity system. Efforts are underway to integrate NDI into the digital public services delivery, which will not only require more advanced digital infrastructure, but also improve data quality, security and interoperability. NDI implementation is expected to enable various AI applications, including personalized public services to enhance user experience and trust in government services.

Several key recommendations for advancing AI in the country have emerged from this assessment. These include the establishment of a centralized government data portal to improve data accessibility and integration, reducing data silos and laying the foundation for an AI ecosystem. In addition, it is encouraged to attract AI talent and businesses through strategic incentives and partnerships, which would help build a stronger skills base and foster a more competitive AI environment. To enhance government capabilities, AI training programs for civil servants are recommended, alongside strengthened cybersecurity frameworks to protect sensitive government data and AI systems from cyber threats. Moreover, AI procurement training for government officials is necessary to ensure the incorporation of ethical standards in AI projects, promoting transparency and accountability in AI adoption.

The implementation of these recommendations will involve key organizations including UNDP Bhutan, the GovTech Agency, the National Statistics Bureau (NSB), the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC), the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB), the Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law, the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMS), the Ministry of Education and Skills, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), the Ministry of Finance (MoF), DHI, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE), telecom companies in Bhutan, and international experts. This collaborative effort will ensure that Bhutan successfully navigates its digital transformation, empowering the nation to adopt AI responsibly and effectively, ultimately contributing to its socio-economic growth and the achievement of the SDGs.