Nepal Engineers’ Association holds discussion on National AI Policy Draft

KATHMANDU: The Nepal Engineers’ Association (NEA) organized a high-level discussion on the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy Draft, bringing together key stakeholders, experts, and policymakers.

The event took place on Wednesday from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, where Mr. Narayan Timilsina, Under Secretary (Technical) of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT), presented the core theme of the AI policy.

The discussion provided a platform for experts and stakeholders to voice their opinions in an open forum.

Chiranjibi Adhikari, Vice President of the Federation of Computer Association Nepal (CAN Federation) and CEO of One Cover Private Limited (Dedicated cybersecurity company), provided an in-depth review of the AI Policy Draft.

He highlighted key areas of concern and recommendations to enhance the effectiveness and inclusivity of Nepal’s AI strategy.
AI Policy 2081 Review Recommendations

As AI continues to shape industries worldwide, Nepal’s AI policy aims to leverage its potential while addressing emerging risks. The discussion was structured into two phases:

Detection & Protection – Identifying AI risks such as misinformation, data poisoning, and security vulnerabilities.

Implementation & Governance – Developing policies for national security, risk mitigation, and AI governance.

1. Ethical and Social Implications of AI

• The policy lacks detailed ethical guidelines on biases, fairness, and accountability in AI.
• It does not adequately address job displacement, inequality, and digital divide issues. Reskilling initiatives for impacted workers were recommended.

2. Data Privacy and Security

• The absence of a comprehensive data governance framework poses risks to data security.
• Cross-border data flow regulations need to be established to facilitate secure international data exchange.

3. AI Research and Development (R&D)

• Nepal must prioritize local data collection to enhance AI research relevance.
• Funding mechanisms for AI R&D should be explicitly outlined.
• The policy should define a roadmap for collaboration with global AI research communities.

4. AI Talent Development

• A clear strategy is required for integrating AI education into the national curriculum.
• Attracting and retaining global AI talent through scholarships and incentives was suggested.

5. AI in Public Sector and Governance

• The policy lacks a clear roadmap for AI integration into public services like healthcare and education.
• AI should be used to enhance government decision-making while ensuring transparency and accountability.

6. AI and Cybersecurity

• AI’s role in cybersecurity threat detection and mitigation should be emphasized.
• Addressing security risks such as adversarial AI attacks is essential for national security.

7. AI and Environmental Sustainability

• The policy should promote AI for environmental protection, including resource management and climate monitoring.
• Encouraging Green AI initiatives can help reduce energy consumption in AI systems.

8. AI and Inclusivity

• The policy should promote inclusive AI development, ensuring accessibility for marginalized communities.
• Gender diversity and underrepresented groups in AI should be encouraged.

9. AI and Intellectual Property (IP)

• Clear IP protection frameworks for AI innovations are needed to safeguard developers’ rights.
• Open-source AI should be encouraged to foster innovation and collaboration.

10. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Performance metrics should be established to measure AI policy implementation.
• Regular policy reviews should be conducted with structured stakeholder feedback.

Conclusion

The discussion emphasized that while Nepal’s AI Policy 2081 is a step in the right direction, it requires significant refinements to ensure robust ethical guidelines, data privacy measures, and a clear implementation roadmap. Experts stressed the need for proactive AI governance, continuous stakeholder engagement, and a forward-thinking approach to harness AI’s full potential for Nepal’s development.

The recommendations from the NEA discussion will be crucial in shaping a more effective AI policy, ensuring responsible AI development while safeguarding national interests.