Government Endorses National AI Policy

The government has decided to endorse the “National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy, 2082,” aimed at guiding the development and regulation of AI technologies in the country, state-owned news agency RSS reported Thursday, August 14.

The policy, proposed by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, was approved by a Cabinet meeting on August 11, Minister for Communications and Government Spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung said.

A draft of the policy was released in February 2025. It seeks to promote the safe, responsible and effective use of AI, recognising its potential to drive social and economic transformation. The policy lays out a roadmap to integrate AI into entrepreneurship and local needs, with the aim of positioning Nepal not only as a responsible consumer but also as an innovator in the field.

The policy aligns Nepal’s AI development with international standards and proposes a regulatory framework to mitigate potential risks. It calls for clear guidelines on data privacy, access and ownership, and emphasises the need for a skilled workforce to adapt to changes in the labour market.

A dedicated regulatory body will be formed to oversee AI policy implementation, monitoring and governance. The policy also envisions an open data system backed by legal provisions to ensure data security.

The government plans to deploy AI across multiple sectors to improve efficiency and service delivery.

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.

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.

The government has also identified potential hurdles, including compliance with international data security norms, shortage of skilled professionals, public-private coordination, and managing job shifts caused by automation.

To address these, the policy calls for sustained research, skill enhancement and a balanced adoption of AI technologies.

If implemented effectively, officials say, the policy could transform key industries and position Nepal as both a responsible adopter and a budding innovator in artificial intelligence.