BRAC University has joined the Open Forum for AI (OFAI), an international initiative established by Carnegie Mellon University in 2024 to promote ethical, human-centred approaches to artificial intelligence.

The OFAI brings together academic institutions, civil society, non-profits, government, and industry to build a more open and accountable AI ecosystem grounded in public-interest values. A major focus of the coalition is developing technical frameworks and prototypes that define and operationalise openness in AI — across software, models, and data — to strengthen transparency, safety, and equity.

The initiative’s working groups are addressing key issues, including AI privacy, technical evaluation benchmarks, and inclusive participation. Ongoing efforts include bringing together researchers, technical experts, and community representatives to advance collaborative research, develop new evaluation methods, and support policymaking and prototype development.

“We are building a coalition grounded in the belief that AI must be shaped by diverse perspectives — not merely large technology companies,” said OFAI Executive Director Sayeed Choudhury. “By welcoming BRAC University, a leader in interdisciplinary education and social innovation, OFAI expands its global reach and strengthens its commitment to collaboration across borders.”

BRAC University’s engagement builds on its work in cross-sector collaboration, UN SDG policy advocacy, and global knowledge sharing, with a focus on driving ethical innovation from the Global South. Discussions on joining OFAI took place during Vice-Chancellor Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar’s visit to the UN Headquarters in New York last July, where he spoke at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

“As AI transforms the world, universities must lead with responsibility and purpose,” said Professor Anwar. “Through our engagement with the OFAI, BRAC University is deepening its commitment to ethical innovation and empowering the next generation to develop technologies that serve humanity.”

Through this collaboration, BRAC University advances several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 4, 9, 10, 16, and 17.