The Government of Nepal has drafted the 'National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2081' to guide a responsible development, use, and regulation of AI technology. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology made the draft public on Tuesday and has invited stakeholders to submit feedback within seven days.
The policy prioritizes safe, responsible, and effective use of AI, recognizing its potential to drive social and economic transformation. The government has outlined a roadmap to integrate AI into entrepreneurship and local needs, ensuring its impact extends beyond mere technological advancement. The draft emphasizes that Nepal should not only be a responsible consumer of AI but also an effective innovator.
Framework for AI Development and Regulation
The draft policy aligns Nepal's AI development with international standards while setting up a regulatory framework to manage potential risks. It underscores the importance of data security, stating that clear guidelines are needed for data privacy, access, and ownership. Given AI’s impact on employment, the policy prioritizes the development of a skilled workforce to adapt to evolving labor market demands.
To oversee AI implementation, the government has proposed the formation of a special regulatory body responsible for policy formulation, monitoring, and addressing challenges in AI governance. The policy also envisions an open data system with clear legal provisions for data security.
The government is planning to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) across various sectors to improve efficiency and service delivery. The initiative aims to enhance education, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, banking, and e-governance through AI-driven solutions.
In the education sector, AI-driven adaptive learning systems will be introduced to personalize learning based on students’ abilities. These systems will tailor educational content according to individual progress, making learning more effective.
The healthcare sector will see the implementation of AI-powered telemedicine services, disease detection, and predictive healthcare models. AI will assist in diagnosing illnesses, recommending treatments, and forecasting potential health risks, ultimately improving healthcare accessibility and quality.
In agriculture, AI-based analysis of weather patterns and crop trends will be used to help farmers make informed decisions. With AI-driven insights, farmers will be better equipped to manage resources efficiently, boost productivity, and adapt to changing environmental conditions.
The transportation sector will benefit from AI-driven smart traffic systems to improve traffic management. By analyzing real-time traffic data, AI will optimize signal timings and reduce congestion, leading to smoother and more efficient urban mobility.
The banking sector will incorporate AI applications for fraud detection, credit scoring, and customer service enhancement. AI-powered tools will help detect fraudulent activities, assess credit risks more accurately, and provide personalized financial assistance.
In e-governance, AI-driven digital government services will improve public service delivery. By automating routine tasks and streamlining administrative processes, AI will make government services more efficient, accessible, and responsive to citizens' needs.
The policy promotes AI research and workforce development by incorporating AI courses into university curricula. It also proposes collaboration between the government, private sector, and academic institutions to support startups and researchers working on AI innovations.
Challenges and Policy Implementation
The government acknowledges potential challenges in AI adoption, including:
• Compliance with international data security standards.
• Shortage of skilled AI professionals.
• Need for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors.
• Managing shifts in employment due to AI-driven automation.
To address these challenges, the policy emphasizes research, skill development, and balanced technology adoption through coordinated efforts between the government, private sector, and academia.
With its implementation, the AI policy is expected to transform multiple industries, positioning Nepal as both a responsible adopter and an emerging innovator in artificial intelligence.
