Bhutan is taking proactive steps to use Artificial Intelligence or AI to boost economic growth and support its national development goals. A key focus will be on using AI to support sectors such as agriculture, hydropower and tourism. As part of this effort, the government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, the Eurasia Group, and G42, kicked off the AI for Development Workshop. The two-day event aims to develop strategies for the effective utilisation of AI in the country’s development.
One of the key focuses is to explore how AI can help accelerate Bhutan’s socio-economic transformation.
To support this, the GovTech Agency is drafting the Bhutan National AI Strategy to use AI in improving sectors such as education, healthcare and disaster management, among others.
“The strategy is only the beginning. We now need to invest in digital infrastructure, skills and innovation, and we need partnerships because no country can do this alone. We are hopeful to reap the rewards of AI’s economic potential and attract inward investments,” said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister added that AI will have a transformative impact across all sectors.
In the hydropower sector, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of building national expertise and using AI to enhance efficiency, improve maintenance, and strengthen monitoring.
“In agriculture, AI holds the potential to boost productivity, improve crop planning and enhance food security, supporting farmers with data-driven insights and smart solutions. AI can also drive growth in tourism by elevating visitor experiences and reinforcing a high-value low low-impact tourism model. Beyond these sectors AI AI-powered systems, especially through machine learning, can revolutionise public service delivery.”
Alongside the opportunities, the panel also discussed the risks of AI, including potential dangers of unregulated systems.
The Prime Minister said the workshop’s outcomes will be presented at the upcoming UN General Assembly.
“I am also happy to note that the outputs of this workshop shall be presented in the upcoming UN General Assembly. This shows how important this event is. Our digital transformation journey is guided by the belief that technology should uplift the well-being of our people and drive sustainable development for future generations.”
The workshop is one of the outcomes of the Prime Minister’s visit to Dubai in February.
Tomorrow’s sessions will discuss Bhutan’s development goals, with experts showcasing the transformative potential of AI in addressing the country’s practical needs.
Devika Pradhan
Edited by Sonam Pem
