Staff Reporter : Grameenphone, the country’s leading telecommunication services provider, has hosted the Grand Finale of FutureMakers, its first-ever nationwide AI idea competition designed to empower university students to showcase their creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills through Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The initiative aimed to encourage young minds across Bangladesh to design impactful, technology-driven solutions that address real-world challenges and contribute to shaping a smarter, more sustainable future.
Team Watermelon was declared the champion for its project Ishara: Bangla Sign Language Translator. Team Opion secured the first runner-up position with its AI-Driven News Credibility Platform. Team Synapz, for its project AI Inclusion for Differently-abled Learners, and Team Lasta, for its project Disha: Financial Inclusion Through AI, jointly earned the second runner-up position. The winners were awarded by the Grameenphone judging panel comprising Yasir Azman, Chief Executive Officer; Syeda Tahya Hossain, Chief Human Resources Officer; Dr. Asif Naimur Rashid, Chief Business Officer; and Dr. Niranjan Srinivasan, Chief Information Officer. Other senior officials from Grameenphone were also present on the occasion.
Yasir Azman, Chief Executive Officer of Grameenphone, said, “As we advance toward an AI-driven future, it is important to equip our youth with the skills and mindset to lead this shift. At Grameenphone, we view AI as a catalyst for innovation, productivity, and inclusive growth. Through FutureMakers, we aim to nurture young innovators ready to shape the future workforce and contribute to the nation’s digital economy.”
Sayeda Tahya Hossain, Chief Human Resources Officer of Grameenphone, said, “At Grameenphone, we believe in nurturing the next generation of innovators who will shape the digital future of Bangladesh. FutureMakers is part of our commitment to empowering young talents to explore, create, and lead with technology. Through initiatives like this, we aim to inspire a mindset of innovation and problem-solving among youth, helping them harness the power of AI for good.”
The winners of the competition will gain an accelerated pathway to Grameenphone’s flagship talent development programs. In addition to prize money, they will have the opportunity to refine their ideas and gain hands-on experience in real-world innovation environments, further nurturing their growth as future tech leaders.
Launched in September 2025, FutureMakers united bright young minds from universities across Bangladesh. After an initial screening round, shortlisted participants presented their ideas before an esteemed panel of judges comprising industry experts, startup founders, and Grameenphone leaders. The evaluation criteria emphasized originality, feasibility, social impact, and the meaningful application of AI in addressing real-world challenges.
Through FutureMakers, Grameenphone reaffirms its broader purpose of driving digital inclusion and youth empowerment through technology and AI. By encouraging university students to embrace AI as a tool for creative and ethical problem-solving, the initiative reflects the company’s continued commitment to building a digitally advanced and inclusive Bangladesh.so