Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasized that Bangladesh must move away from certificate-based education and adopt a skills-oriented, technology-driven, and practical learning system to cope with the ongoing technological revolution. He made the remarks on Sunday at noon while inaugurating a teacher training program on skills-based education under the National University curriculum at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center.

Rahman noted that automation and AI-driven technologies have put many traditional jobs at risk or made them obsolete, while simultaneously creating new employment opportunities in emerging sectors. He highlighted the National University’s crucial role in expanding modern, technology-based higher education, as it has over 2,000 affiliated colleges with more than 4 million students currently enrolled.

He added that over 10 million students have already received higher education in Bangladesh. The National University, established in 1992 by former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, was designed to ensure access to higher education for both urban and rural students as the world enters the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Bangladeshi-origin Australian billionaire Robin Khuda’s company AirTrunk will invest more than $30 billion in India’s data center projects by 2030. The announcement followed Khuda’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other government officials. According to a statement released on Friday, AirTrunk plans to build around five gigawatts of data center capacity across India.

Prime Minister Modi said on social media that such investments would strengthen India’s position as a global hub for cloud computing and artificial intelligence, while creating jobs, supporting local supply chains, and accelerating innovation-driven growth. The largest project under this plan will be developed in the western state of Maharashtra.

Earlier this week, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that AirTrunk would invest about two trillion rupees to build a three-gigawatt data center hub in the state. AirTrunk is expanding its operations across the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has called for a draft of a National Action Plan, or e-Safety Plan, to address fake news, misinformation, disinformation, and growing digital risks. He made the call on Saturday at a roundtable titled “Policy, Technology and Accountability in Combating Fake News in Bangladesh,” organized by the Nationalist ICT Forum at the Engineers Institution in Dhaka.

The minister emphasized that policymakers must first enhance their knowledge and capacity to tackle misinformation challenges effectively. He said that proper policy formulation, a strong regulatory framework, and technology-based implementation structures are essential for managing these issues. Highlighting the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, he noted its potential long-term impacts on civilization, the economy, and employment, urging balanced consideration of both its benefits and risks.

Swapan added that digital infrastructure and data security have become strategic priorities globally and called for strengthening both digital capacity and protection frameworks. He expressed hope that the proposed plan would help build a safe, technologically capable, and inclusive Bangladesh.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan announced that the area surrounding Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has been declared a silent zone effective immediately. He stated that no noise pollution will be tolerated in the area and that law enforcement agencies will strictly implement government policies against violations. The announcement was made on Friday following a rally at Gulshan-2 Circle marking World Environment Day.

The DNCC administrator added that Gulshan, Banani, Niketan, and Baridhara have also been designated as silent zones. With the cooperation of local societies, DNCC aims to create an environment free from noise and air pollution. He emphasized that while complete elimination may not happen overnight, progress is achievable through collective effort.

In response to a question from journalists, the administrator said that the Dhaka Metropolitan Traffic Division is successfully operating AI-based traffic signal control, and this initiative will continue in the future.

Uber has announced a major initiative to advance its autonomous vehicle technology by deploying 500 specially equipped data collection cars across global roads this year. According to a TechCrunch report, these vehicles will gather real-world driving information to support Uber’s self-driving technology partners. The company has developed a customized version of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric car fitted with numerous sensors, including 14 cameras, 8 lidar units, and 9 radar systems.

Uber stated that the fleet is expected to collect data covering about two million miles each month. The company aims to have at least 50 of these vehicles operational by the coming summer. The collected data will not only be stored but also analyzed to train autonomous driving software, which Uber believes will make robotaxi technology more advanced and reliable.

Uber’s broader goal is to build the world’s most diverse autonomous driving database, incorporating real experiences from different countries, cities, and environments. Its current partners in autonomous vehicle development include Waymo, WeRide, and Avride.

Bangladeshi-origin American musician and DJ Sanjoy has been selected to perform at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026. He is also featured on the tournament’s official album, marking a proud moment for Bangladesh. Sanjoy shared the news on his social media, describing it as the realization of a long-cherished dream. Raised in San Jose, United States, he said he spent countless hours practicing music while growing up between two cultures.

Sanjoy expressed pride in being part of the official World Cup album, saying one of his songs will be included in the soundtrack of the world’s biggest sporting event. He described the achievement as incredible and viewed it not only as a personal success but also as an inspiration for young dreamers. The song, titled “Sir Sir,” features Bollywood star Nora Fatehi and French artist Vezedric.

With this inclusion, Bangladesh’s name will be represented on the global stage of football and music through Sanjoy’s contribution.

FIFA is set to implement a major technological upgrade at the 2026 World Cup in North America by introducing an enhanced semi-automated offside system. The new technology will send instant audio alerts to assistant referees whenever a player is more than 10 centimeters offside, significantly reducing decision delays. Previously, similar systems could only detect offsides exceeding 50 centimeters. While the technology will assist referees, final decisions will remain under the control of on-field officials.

The system aims to improve both decision speed and player safety, as delayed offside calls have previously led to unnecessary play continuation and injuries. FIFA cited past incidents where late offside recognition contributed to serious player injuries. The new setup also includes AI-based 3D avatars, with digital scans of all 1,248 players from 48 teams, enabling more realistic and accurate offside animations for viewers.

Additionally, the technology will verify whether the ball fully crossed the line using 3D animation and embedded chips, allowing faster and more precise decisions on corners, throw-ins, and goals.

Actor Shirthaj Zebin has gained audience attention for her performance as Sumaiya in the Eid drama 'Maya Pakhi', written and directed by Zakaria Shaukhine. The drama portrays the dark side of corporate life through the rivalry between two women, Sumaiya and Maya, competing for their boss’s attention. Despite Sumaiya’s negative traits, Zebin’s portrayal has been widely discussed and appreciated by viewers.

Zebin stated that she is drawn to challenging roles that capture audience interest. She previously debuted under Shaukhine’s direction and has since worked with him on other projects. In 'Maya Pakhi', she expressed gratitude for the audience’s response, noting that the story reflects the hidden struggles within corporate environments. The drama also stars Shahed Sharif Khan, Apurba, and Niha in key roles.

Recently, Zebin completed her BBA from North South University. On her birthday, she chose to spend the day with children at an orphanage in Bashundhara, Dhaka, personally covering the expenses of the meal.

A two-day film screening event is set to begin in Cox’s Bazar, organized by the Cox’s Bazar Film Society. The announcement was made at a press conference held at Shaheed Daulat Maidan on Wednesday. The screenings will take place on June 5 and 6 at Shaheed Subhash Hall of Cox’s Bazar Public Library, running from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day, with a total of six films scheduled.

The first day will feature Mezbauer Rahman Suman’s ‘Hawa’, Shahin Dil-Riaz’s ‘Rakib Khan: The Projectionist’, and Mohammad Towkir Islam’s ‘Delupi’. The second day will include Dhrubo Hasan’s ‘Fatima’, Fazle Rabbi’s short film ‘Tadatma Onneshon: The Eternal Journey’, and Tanim Noor’s ‘Bonolota Express’. Tickets are priced at 100 taka per day, with a 50 taka concession for students. Registration will be available both online and at the venue.

According to the organizers, all films will include English subtitles to make them accessible to both local and international audiences. The Film Society hopes the event, titled ‘Cox’s Bazar Talkies’, will foster a culture of regular film screenings and creative engagement in the region.

Technology-driven companies worldwide are reassessing their artificial intelligence (AI) strategies as operational costs rise sharply. Experts note that after ChatGPT’s popularity in 2022, AI firms initially offered low-cost services supported by investor funding. Kevin Simback of Delphi Labs described that period as one of 'subsidized intelligence.' Now, leading AI companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic are shifting toward profitability and preparing to attract new investment.

The growing use of AI agents, which perform complex tasks like scheduling, coding, and file management, is driving up token-based costs. Increased demand for chips and data centers is also straining computing infrastructure. Mark Burton of OmniUX observed that AI costs are rising rapidly, especially among software developers. Analysts warn that in some cases, token expenses can equal or exceed an employee’s salary within months.

To curb expenses, many firms are turning to open-source or smaller, specialized AI models. Experts predict AI will become a commodity, where selecting cost-effective models for specific tasks will be key, though demand for high-end systems will persist among advanced users.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of Bangladesh has issued a revised notification for the 2023 National Film Awards following controversy over the previously announced list. The new circular, released on June 2, 2026, introduces changes in the Lifetime Achievement and Best Screenplay categories after a review process.

The initial January announcement had named filmmaker Tareque Masud and cinematographer-director Abdul Latif Bachchu for lifetime honors, which sparked debate as both were deceased, contrary to the policy that prioritizes living recipients. Allegations also surfaced that jury recommendations were ignored in several categories, prompting the ministry to initiate a review in March with input from jury board members.

According to the updated notification, Tareque Masud and Abdul Latif Bachchu will now receive posthumous honors for their special contributions, while actress Shabnam and film editor Fazle Haque will jointly receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Best Screenplay award has been reassigned to Tasnimul Hasan, replacing Niamul Mukta, after it was found that Mukta did not write the screenplay for the film “Roktojoba.”

Bangladeshi filmmaker and former cultural affairs adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has spoken out about the cancellation of a film screening in Brahmanbaria. The screening of the movie 'Bonolota Express,' organized by the Brahmanbaria Film Society, was called off after objections from the Qawmi Chhatra Oikya Parishad and lack of administrative approval. The incident sparked widespread debate on social media, with many users expressing protest.

In a Facebook post on June 2, Farooki criticized the intolerance behind the cancellation, saying that while some may personally disapprove of cinema, they should not impose their views on others. He argued that such behavior from religious groups damages both the country's and religion's image. Farooki also noted that many people mistakenly hold the cultural minister responsible, though the ministry does not directly control cinema affairs.

He reiterated his long-standing view that cinema, OTT, and entertainment should be under the cultural ministry rather than the information ministry, urging a change in the government's allocation of business structure.

Bangladeshi director Mabrur Rashid Bannah has faced online threats following the release of his new drama 'Helmet Bahini' during Eid 2026. The production, which Bannah wrote, directed, and acted in, portrays a student leader who supported a repressive regime during the July 2024 anti-discrimination movement and later attempts to reinvent himself after the regime’s fall. Following its release, several artists critical of the drama issued threats on social media, including actor Tomal Mahbub and producer Arshad Adnan, son of President Shahabuddin Chuppu. Adnan’s comment suggesting punitive action against anti-fascist artists drew widespread criticism before he deleted it.

Screenshots of the posts circulated widely, prompting online solidarity under the hashtag “Stand with Mabrur Rashid Bannah.” Bannah responded publicly, urging his supporters to maintain faith and perseverance in cultural activism. Several cultural figures, including lyricist Atif Abu Bakar and Dr. Md. Nur Uddin, expressed support for Bannah’s stance and praised his continued engagement with the July movement’s themes.

Former student leader Rizwan Sheikh questioned whether authorities would act against the president’s son for allegedly compiling lists of dissenting artists under state protection.

Microsoft is set to showcase major artificial intelligence and Windows developments at its Build conference in San Francisco this week. The company plans to introduce a new reasoning AI model called MAI-Thinking-1, along with MAI-Image-2.5 and MAI-Image-2.5-Flash. Build will also feature details on a forthcoming Copilot “super app” that unifies Microsoft’s various AI assistants into a single interface. Additionally, Microsoft will present a new Windows 11 developer-optimized experience designed to provide a distraction-free environment with pre-installed tools and scripts.

The event comes as Microsoft seeks to rebuild trust among developers and GitHub users amid concerns about reliability and security. The company is also expected to discuss Windows performance improvements, adaptation to new silicon such as Nvidia’s RTX Spark, and ongoing collaboration with Qualcomm to enhance Windows on Arm. Build will highlight Microsoft’s focus on local AI models running directly on Windows, reducing reliance on cloud computing.

The conference begins Tuesday, June 2, and is seen as a pivotal moment for Microsoft as it reshapes its business strategy around AI and developer engagement.

TwelveLabs, a company specializing in video understanding technology, has announced the launch of Rodeo, its first application-layer product. Rodeo introduces AI agents directly into video production workflows, allowing creators to find, edit, and assemble footage using natural language. The product marks TwelveLabs’ transition from being solely an infrastructure provider to offering tools that place its video intelligence capabilities directly in the hands of creators.

Rodeo enables users to describe the content they need, after which TwelveLabs’ AI searches their entire footage library to locate and assemble relevant clips instantly. The technology’s contextual understanding allows it to identify not only what appears in a video but also why it matters, helping creators save hours of manual searching. The system eliminates the need for complex IT setups, making advanced video intelligence accessible to producers, editors, and directors.

Rodeo is powered by TwelveLabs’ Marengo 3.0 and Pegasus 1.5 models, which together provide state-of-the-art performance in long video understanding. The company positions Rodeo as a natural evolution of its model-layer innovations, aiming to help creators move from raw footage to finished stories more efficiently.