Artificial Intelligence and the Legal System in Bangladesh: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Way Forward

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming legal systems by influencing judicial administration, legal practice, public governance, and regulatory decision making. Despite accelerating AI adoption under Bangladesh's digital transformation agenda, the country lacks a comprehensive legal framework capable of addressing AI specific risks. This article critically examines the adequacy of Bangladesh's existing legal regime, including constitutional provisions, cyber security legislation, evidence law, data protection, consumer protection, and intellectual property rules, in regulating AI driven technologies. Employing a doctrinal and comparative legal methodology, the study analyses domestic legislation alongside international governance models developed by the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and India. It identifies significant regulatory deficiencies relating to accountability, transparency, algorithmic bias, privacy, cybersecurity, liability, and human rights protection. The article argues that fragmented legal responses are insufficient for governing increasingly autonomous AI systems. It proposes a risk based, rights oriented, and institutionally coordinated AI governance framework tailored to Bangladesh, integrating dedicated legislation, independent oversight, robust data protection, judicial capacity building, ethical standards, and regulatory innovation to ensure responsible AI development.