KATHMANDU: For the first time, the government has prepared a Concept Paper on the application and practices of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This effort seeks to lay the groundwork for the development of rules and legislation governing the use and operation of AI, addressing the country's lack of such restrictions in the face of the worldwide boom in AI technology and its uses.

The Concept Paper was developed by a technical committee formed under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, following nearly five months of intensive study. The committee, chaired by Joint Secretary Anil Kumar Dutta and including members like Under-Secretary Narayan Timilsina, IT Director Pabitra Dangol, Dr. Baburam Dawadi from the Institute of Engineering, and computer engineer Surya Prakash Upadhyay, presented its findings to the Ministry after thorough deliberation.

Key recommendations of the report include advocating for the enactment of necessary policies, laws, and procedures to regulate AI development and use. Emphasizing cyber security, data protection, and privacy issues, the report proposes the formulation of a national AI policy, strategies for data protection frameworks, and legal mechanisms to safeguard user privacy, aligning with international standards.

Furthermore, the committee suggests establishing an integrated national portal to facilitate AI-related information exchange, promoting research, development, and application of AI technologies as national priorities. The report also underscores the importance of fostering transparency, accountability, and privacy protection, urging increased investment and collaborative efforts across sectors to advance AI capabilities and applications in Nepal.