Unlocking AI’s Potential in Life Sciences: Strategy Dialogue Highlights Innovation at Harvard HSIL Hackathon 2025 – Bangladesh Round
This morning, a high-level policy dialogue titled “Unlocking AI’s Potential in Life Sciences: A Strategy Dialogue” took place as a special segment of the Harvard HSIL Hackathon 2025 – Bangladesh Round. Organized by the Institute of Research, Innovation, Incubation, and Commercialization (IRIIC) at United International University (UIU), the event brought together global and national experts to explore how Bangladesh can position itself as a leader in AI-driven health innovation.
The hybrid-mode session, hosted at UIU, featured engaging discussions on the transformative role of AI in healthcare, regulatory readiness, ethical considerations, and investment strategies for life sciences in the age of artificial intelligence.
Moderated by Dr. Khondaker Abdullah Al Mamun, Professor of CSE at UIU and Founder of IRIIC and CMED Health, the session welcomed an esteemed panel of speakers:
- Wu Jianbo, Deputy Director, PATH, China
- Tanvir Kobir Pavel, Co-Founder, HealthNext & Senior AI Researcher, Berlin, Germany
- Dr. Samiha Hossain, Biomedical AI Researcher, Germany
- Md. Shadman Sakib, CEO, Sheba Platform Ltd, Bangladesh
The dialogue explored timely policy questions, such as:
- What are the most relevant applications of AI in life sciences for Bangladesh’s health priorities?
- How can data governance, privacy, and ethical frameworks evolve to meet the demands of health AI?
- What public policy and investment ecosystems are needed to foster AI-powered innovation in healthcare?
This dialogue set the stage for a day of mentorship and startup pitching, culminating in the Bangladesh Hub Winner announcement of the Harvard HSIL Hackathon 2025. The event celebrates young innovators shaping the future of health systems through artificial intelligence, reflecting the shared commitment of UIU, IRIIC, and global partners to catalyze equitable, tech-powered healthcare.
As the national finalists prepare to showcase their solutions, the momentum from the strategy dialogue is expected to inspire policy makers, entrepreneurs, and researchers alike to work toward a healthier and more inclusive future through AI.
