Staff Reporter : Grameenphone, the country’s leading telecommunications service provider, successfully concluded the second edition of FutureMakers, its nationwide Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based idea competition for university students, at a city hotel Tuesday. The Grand Finale celebrated innovative, youth-led solutions aimed at addressing social challenges. Held under the theme “AI for Social Good,” this year’s edition engaged over 7,000 students with the submission of 1,103 ideas from more than 70 universities across Bangladesh, marking a 40% increase in student engagement compared to its inaugural edition in 2025.
The second edition of FutureMakers invited university students from both STEM and non-STEM disciplines to develop AI-powered ideas across seven challenge areas: digital inclusion and education; healthcare and mental wellbeing; upskilling and employment opportunities; gender equality and inclusion; environmental harmony and climate response; safety, security and data privacy; and others.
Rehan Asif Asad, Advisor to the Prime Minister for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, graced the Grand Finale as the Chief Guest and Maj Gen Md Emdad Ul Bari, OSP, ndc, psc, te (retd), Chairman, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), was present as Special Guest. H.E. Mr. Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh, was also present at the event, alongside senior officials from Grameenphone, industry experts, technology professionals and participating students.
Finalists presented their solutions before a judging panel comprising Brig Gen Iqbal Ahmed, ndc, afwc psc (retd), Commissioner (Engineering & Operations Division), Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC); Yasir Azman, Chief Executive Officer; Sayeda Tahya Hossain, Chief Human Resources Officer; Andreas Høgberg, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer; Solaiman Alam, Chief Product Officer; Dr. Asif Naimur Rashid, Chief Business Officer; and Dr. Niranjan Srinivasan, Chief Information Officer of Grameenphone. The panel evaluated the ideas based on innovation, feasibility, potential for social impact and practical application of AI.
Team LubDub emerged as the Champion of FutureMakers 2026 for its project EchoClip, an AI-powered clip-on device that transforms conventional stethoscopes into tools for detecting potential early signs of heart disease, while Team River Sentinel secured the First Runner-up position for its AI-powered river erosion prediction system, designed to identify vulnerable areas and provide early warnings to communities at risk, and Team Jinxed was named Second Runner-up for its project Spasto AI, an AI-supported speech-therapy application that connects personalized treatment plans with guided home practice and progress tracking.
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The winning teams were recognized for creativity and potential demonstrated through their solutions. They received 300,000, 200,000 and 100,000 BDT respectively and will gain an accelerated pathway to Grameenphone’s flagship talent development programmes titled Next Business Leader (NBL) and Nextern Internship Program.
Rehan Asif Asad, Advisor to the Prime Minister for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, said, “As AI continues to reshape industries and economies globally, it is important that our youth have access to the tools, skills and opportunities needed to participate in this transformation. For Bangladesh to fully harness the potential of AI, we must encourage young people not only to learn and adopt emerging technologies but also to apply them in addressing real-world challenges. I appreciate Grameenphone’s efforts through initiatives such as FutureMakers, which provide a platform for students from across Bangladesh to explore AI, develop their capabilities and translate innovative ideas into meaningful solutions. Such initiatives can play an important role in nurturing future-ready talent and advancing Bangladesh’s digital economy.”
Maj Gen Md Emdad Ul Bari, OSP, ndc, psc, te (retd), Chairman, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), said, “It is encouraging to see young innovators exploring how AI can address social challenges and extend the benefits of digitalization to more people. I encourage participants to pursue their ideas with a strong commitment to responsible innovation and digital inclusion for Bangladesh.”
Yasir Azman, Chief Executive Officer of Grameenphone, said, “It is truly inspiring to see the remarkable creativity, talent and innovative thinking demonstrated by young people from across Bangladesh. What makes this edition of FutureMakers particularly encouraging is that participation was not limited to major cities or prominent universities. We have seen bright young minds from different corners of the country come forward with AI-driven ideas, demonstrating that talent and potential are not defined by geography or institutional standing. Seeing such promising talent gives me immense hope and confidence in the future of Bangladesh. At Grameenphone, we see our role as an enabler, creating opportunities and providing platforms where these young innovators can develop their skills, explore their potential and bring their ideas to life. I look forward to seeing how FutureMakers and our broader youth empowerment initiatives continue to support the youth’s aspirations and empower them to contribute to a safer, smarter, and more inclusive Bangladesh.”
Sayeda Tahya Hossain, Chief Human Resources Officer of Grameenphone, said, “At Grameenphone, we believe that empowering youth with future-ready skills and opportunities to apply their knowledge is essential to build a stronger digital economy. The second edition of FutureMakers has brought together students from diverse academic backgrounds and universities across the country, encouraging them to look beyond conventional applications of AI and explore its potential for social good. We hope this experience inspires participants to continue learning, experimenting and turning their ideas into solutions that create lasting impact in not only in their own development but also in the development of the country.”