Nafiul Ahmad Rafi is an AI governance researcher and the Founding Director of Atlas AI Institute, based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He is also a Research Affiliate at the AI Policy Lab, Umeå University, Sweden, and researches AI regulatory frameworks and governance infrastructure for developing economies and the Global South. His work spans research (Atlas AI Institute), civic technology (NagorikBD), and national AI public infrastructure (aigovbd.org).

Nafiul Ahmad
Rafi

AI Governance Researcher · Founding Director, Atlas AI Institute

AI governance researcher based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, researching regulatory frameworks and governance infrastructure for responsible AI adoption in developing and emerging economies. Advancing Global South perspectives in multilateral AI governance forums.

AI Governance Regulatory Policy Digital Sovereignty Global South
Research Program → Publications & Briefs →
Nafiul Ahmad Rafi, AI governance researcher and Founding Director of Atlas AI Institute, based in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dhaka, Bangladesh · South Asia

Research should not end in reports.

It should become tools, platforms, and digital public infrastructure that improve people's lives.

🏛️ Atlas AI Institute AI Governance Research & Public Interest Innovation atlasaii.org ↓
📘 National AI Policy Frameworks Research, policy design, and governance frameworks
↓ 🌍 NagorikBD AI-powered Civic Platform for Citizens, Climate & Public Services nagorikbd.org ↓ 🛠️ AI Governance Tools Policy analysis, benchmarking, and governance assessment tools nafiulahmadrafi.com/tools ↓
🚀 What's Next?
🇧🇩 National AI Public Infrastructure Building AI-powered digital public infrastructure for Bangladesh. aigovbd.org
Nafiul Ahmad Rafi · Dhaka, Bangladesh

Current Research Areas

Six active research programmes · Atlas AI Institute

AI governance

Responsible AI regulation and institutional capacity building for governments and policy bodies.

Global South AI policy

Governance models and regulatory frameworks designed for developing economies.

Digital public infrastructure

AI-enabled public platforms, digital governance systems, and state transformation.

Civic AI

Artificial intelligence applications for citizen-centered public services and civic engagement.

Responsible AI

Transparency, accountability, and trustworthy AI system design and evaluation.

Climate AI

AI applications for disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in vulnerable regions.

Research & Public Interest Impact

Measured reach across countries, institutions, and communities

40+
Countries
analyzed
70+
Governance
assessments
2
Divisions
served
8
Districts
covered
76
Upazilas
reached

Atlas AI Institute is an independent Global South AI research institute conducting AI governance policy research across 40+ countries, with 70+ national AI governance assessments, and civic AI deployments reaching 2 divisions, 8 districts, and 76 upazilas in Bangladesh.

Current Focus

Building practical AI systems for public good · Atlas AI Institute

01

National AI Public Infrastructure

Core digital and AI infrastructure supporting nationwide public-sector adoption and delivery.

02

NagorikBD Expansion

Scaling citizen-facing civic AI services to reach more divisions, districts, and upazilas.

03

AI Governance Observatory

Continuous monitoring and analysis of AI governance developments across the Global South.

04

Bangladesh AI Readiness Index

A benchmark measuring institutional, infrastructural, and policy readiness for AI adoption.

05

Responsible AI Assessment Framework

Structured evaluation methodology for accountability, safety, and trust in deployed AI systems.

06

AI Policy Intelligence Platform

A platform aggregating and synthesizing AI policy signals to inform evidence-based decision-making.

Atlas AI Institute's current focus for 2026–2028 centers on building practical AI systems for public good in Bangladesh, including national AI public infrastructure, NagorikBD expansion, an AI governance observatory, a Bangladesh AI Readiness Index, a Responsible AI Assessment Framework, and an AI Policy Intelligence Platform.

Featured Publications

Selected publications and policy briefs exploring AI governance, responsible AI, digital public infrastructure, and Global South policy development.

View All Publications

Featured Writing

Insights on AI governance, public policy, civic technology, climate resilience, and digital transformation.

Read Articles

Professional Experience

Roles across research, government, and institution building

Founding Director

Atlas AI Institute
– Present Dhaka, Bangladesh

Leading an independent AI governance research institute focused on responsible AI, digital public infrastructure, civic technology, and public policy innovation across the Global South.

  • Founded and lead Atlas AI Institute.
  • Designed multiple national AI governance and policy frameworks.
  • Developed NagorikBD, an AI-powered civic technology platform.
  • Led the development of AI governance assessment and policy analysis tools.
  • Conducted comparative AI policy research across multiple countries.
  • Published policy papers and governance frameworks on responsible AI, transparency, and digital public infrastructure.

Technical Research Team Member (Advisor's Office)

ICT Division, Government of Bangladesh
– Agargaon, Dhaka

Supported the office of ICT Division Adviser Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb through technical research and policy analysis.

  • Conducted research on digital government and emerging technologies.
  • Contributed to policy briefs and technical documentation.
  • Supported evidence-based policy discussions and technology initiatives.

Note: Only use this wording if it accurately reflects your role and responsibilities.

AI Policy Endorser

AI Policy Lab, Umeå University
– Present

Contributing to international discussions on AI governance and supporting AI policy research initiatives through collaboration with the AI Policy Lab.

যদি আপনার অফিসিয়াল পদবী AI Policy Endorser-ই হয়, তাহলে সেটাই লিখুন। যদি "Research Affiliate" না হন, তাহলে "Research Affiliate" লিখবেন না।

Digital Marketing & Strategy Consultant

Remote · Middle East
–

Provided digital marketing, branding, and communications consulting for businesses across the Middle East.

  • Social Media Strategy
  • Digital Branding
  • Performance Marketing
  • Website Strategy
  • SEO & Content Marketing

Education

Academic foundation in public policy and governance

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science

National University, Bangladesh
Focused on
Public Policy Political Institutions Governance International Relations Public Administration

Core Expertise

Domains of applied research and practice

AI Governance

AI policy frameworks, governance assessment, responsible AI, regulatory capacity, AI strategy.

Public Policy

Policy analysis, governance reform, digital government, institutional capacity.

Civic Technology

Citizen services, AI assistants, digital public infrastructure, open government.

Climate Intelligence

Disaster information systems, climate resilience, environmental data integration.

Research & Strategy

Comparative policy research, policy drafting, evidence synthesis, strategic foresight.

Technology

AI Product Strategy Next.js Supabase WordPress Open Data APIs GIS Integration

Leadership

Research Leadership Institution Building Project Management Strategic Planning Stakeholder Engagement Public Speaking Cross-sector Collaboration

Nafiul Ahmad Rafi is the Founding Director of Atlas AI Institute (Dhaka, Bangladesh, January 2024–present), leading independent AI governance research, national AI policy frameworks, and the civic technology platform NagorikBD. He previously served as a Technical Research Team Member in the Advisor's Office of the ICT Division, Government of Bangladesh (November 2024–January 2026), supporting ICT Division Adviser Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb. He is an AI Policy Endorser at the AI Policy Lab, Umeå University (2026–present), and earlier worked as a Digital Marketing & Strategy Consultant across the Middle East (2020–2022). He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from National University, Bangladesh, with a focus on public policy, political institutions, governance, international relations, and public administration. His core expertise spans AI governance, public policy, civic technology, climate intelligence, and research strategy, supported by technical skills in Next.js, Supabase, WordPress, open data APIs, and GIS integration, and leadership experience in research direction, institution building, and stakeholder engagement.

My Philosophy

The chain from research to lasting change · Atlas AI Institute

Research
creates knowledge.
Policy
creates direction.
Technology
creates solutions.
Public impact
creates lasting change.

This philosophy guides everything I build—from AI governance research to civic technology and digital public infrastructure.

Let's Build AI for Public Good

I believe AI should strengthen institutions, empower citizens, and improve public services—not simply automate existing systems.

If you're working on AI governance, digital public infrastructure, civic technology, climate resilience, or responsible AI, I'd be happy to explore opportunities for collaboration.

Contact Me on WhatsApp rafi@atlasaii.org
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