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The presence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues its meteoric rise as a key aspect of digitalization in the third decade of the new century, and with it growing concerns of regulation and governance, as much in Nepal as elsewhere. But how to regulate something whose nature and presence seems to evolve before it can be even understood? 

Croft further added "This dialogue is to assess where we are in terms of AI in Nepal to weigh its opportunities and challenges,” opening the Multistakeholder Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance in Nepal on 27 November 2023, an event attended by representatives of government, civil society, academia and the tech industry of the country. ‘

As expressed by the audience, the multistakeholder dialogue event was the 'first of its kind' in Nepal. The event featured two panel discussions: one on ‘AI Governance and Legal Framework’ led by Runa Maharjan, Human Rights Officer at the National Human Rights Commission, and another on ‘AI Regulation in Nepal’, facilitated by Rukmani Maharjan, Assistant Professor at Nepal Law Campus. These discussions delved into various aspects of AI and its relevance in Nepal. The panels, comprising under-secretaries of ministries and commissions, along with experts, critically examined issues related to AI development in Nepal. Topics included the growth and regulation of AI, as well as its accessibility to marginalized communities and individuals with disabilities. The discussions also highlighted the ongoing deliberations within the Ministry regarding the formulation of a dedicated AI regulation policy.

“AI benefits me in many ways but there are not many courses on accessibility in technology. It is necessary to ensure accessible digital rights provision for individuals with disabilities,” said a participant with a vision/visual impairment. 

Resonating with other actors presented at the event, academia representatives from Kathmandu University School of Arts, Ekku Maya Pun, Acting Dean, School of Arts, and Dr. Nirmala Mani Adhikary highlighted the infinite possibilities of AI. They emphasized the importance of exploring the extensive possibilities and opportunities presented by AI. Furthermore, they stressed the need to create an environment that encourages the responsible utilization of AI capabilities and to establish regulations in case of breaches.

“The aim of these programmes is to produce graduates who are interested in research in the field and to become employable in other communication jobs as well,” said Pun, delineating Kathmandu University’s introduction of Bachelor and Master degrees in Artificial Intelligence two years ago.

The multistakeholder dialogue was jointly organized by UNESCO and the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) in collaboration with Digital Rights Nepal and Kathmandu University in Kathmandu to explore AI and its regulation in Nepal. To aid UNESCO’s international efforts to ensure that science and technology develop with strong ethical guardrails, the platform served as a reinforcement and reintroduction of UNESCO's 2021 Global Recommendation on the Ethics of AI. This recommendation emphasizes the integration of values such as equality, non-discrimination, fairness, and transparency into technological advancements.