National AI summit: preparations for data protection board, emphasis on skilled workforce

The Digital Media Foundation organized the "National AI Summit 2026" at Hotel Himalaya in Lalitpur on Saturday.

Experts attending the summit said that instead of fearing AI will take away jobs, the focus should be on building a skilled workforce capable of using it properly. They pointed to the need for timely changes in the education system, curriculum and skills development.

Dr Bikas Lamsal, an associate professor at Waseda University in Japan, said that rather than fully relying on AI, the ability to verify whether its output is correct should be strengthened.

Suvas Dhakal, joint secretary at the Office of the Information Technology and Digital Governance under the Prime Minister's Office, said the government is preparing to form a separate data protection board.

According to him, a draft bill is being prepared, with plans to have it passed by the Council of Ministers and sent to Parliament within six months. He said the board would also look after data protection for the private sector and citizens, alongside government bodies.

Nick Aston-Hart, a member of the United Nations Data Governance Working Group, suggested that Nepal should reduce dependence on technology and place emphasis on domestic capacity and digital sovereignty.