Data, Disruption, and Direction: International AI Conference Kicks Off in Gazipur

A two-day international conference on Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and their practical applications is currently underway at the EATL Innovation Hub in Kaliakoir Hi-Tech City, Gazipur. Titled International Conference on Data Science, AI and Applications 2025, the event showcases a convergence of global thought leaders, researchers, policymakers, and academics aiming to explore and promote the use of data science and AI in shaping the future of education, healthcare, industry, and governance.

Organizers report that the conference’s Technical Program Committee received 218 full research paper submissions from across the globe. The committee is chaired by Professor Mo Saraiya, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at the University of Salford, UK. Over the two-day program, 16 selected papers will be presented across four technical tracks, in addition to workshops, panel discussions, and a poster exhibition.

Among the workshop leaders is Dr. Shivkumar Palaniappan, who is conducting a session on recent trends in artificial intelligence. Another workshop focuses on the application of AI in the healthcare sector, drawing participation from notable doctors and policymakers in Bangladesh.

On the opening day, keynote speaker Dr. Latifur Khan, IEEE Fellow and Director of the Big Data Analytics and Management Lab at the University of Texas at Dallas, delivered an address highlighting the transformative potential of data science in managing complex systems.

The inauguration ceremony, held on Friday, July 18, featured Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Adviser on Science, Technology, and Finance, as Chief Guest. Special guests included Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka; Mohammad Ali, Managing Director of Pubali Bank; and Professor Dr. Abu Yousuf, Vice-Chancellor of the Digital University.

EATL Innovation Hub’s Managing Director M A Mobin Khan welcomed attendees, while Dr. Md Abdul Karim, former Principal Secretary and Chairman of the EATL Innovation Hub, presided over the ceremony.

The conference is jointly organized by Bangladesh’s first private innovation center, EATL Innovation Hub, and the University of Salford, a prestigious public university in the United Kingdom.

On the second day, Indian researcher Professor Sushmita Mitra of the Indian Statistical Institute is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech on machine intelligence.

The closing session will feature a welcome address by Nancy Cook, Director at the University of Salford. Chief Guest for the event will be Shish Hayder Chowdhury, Secretary of the ICT Division. Special guests will include Professor Dr. A.S.M. Amanullah, Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Bangladesh; Professor Mo Saraiya of the University of Salford; and M A Mobin Khan of EATL Innovation Hub.

Commenting on the event, M A Mobin Khan stated, “This conference will open new horizons in technology and research. We are proud to host such an international event in our country.”