The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and digital technology has brought Nepal to a critical juncture—one where we can no longer remain passive observers of a global revolution. As we navigate this complex digital landscape, the challenge is not merely to adopt new tools, but to architect a future that remains unmistakably and beautifully human. This transition requires more than technical skill; it demands a moral compass and a governance architecture that ensures innovation serves as a bridge to progress rather than a catalyst for inequity. To secure a prosperous 'New Nepal,' we must now take up the responsibility to lead with vision, ethics, and a commitment to inclusive growth.
For over 40 years, I’ve advocated for granting Institutes of National Importance (INIs) status to Nepal’s top premier institutions—IOE, IOM, NAST etc This is not symbolic reform. Globally, INI status has proven that institutional autonomy, stable funding, and insulation from political interference transform academic institutions into engines of national development. Nepal must act now by granting INI status to premier institutions via Special Act encouraging building private-public partnerships for innovation.
The Problem
Nepal’s leading premier institutions are held back by human resources at the decision level with limited knowledge and the system suffered from inadequate budgets, political and bureaucratic interference, resource constrained research infrastructure resulting in difficulty attracting top talent. Without reform, these institutions cannot compete globally or drive national development. A Special Act of Parliament can give premier institutions long -term, protected funding, freedom to govern, innovate, and collaborate internationally developing ability to conduct high-impact research aligned with Nepal’s growth goals. This is how nations build lasting capability—not through annual budget negotiations, but through institutional trust and autonomy.
Private Sector Partnership
Public institutions cannot innovate in isolation due to limitations in resources in the context of Nepal. Industry collaboration is essential for promoting joint research labs and innovation hubs creating structured internship and faculty exchange programs for technology transfer and commercialization pipelines. This ensures that research is relevant, employable, and globally competitive while anchoring innovation within Nepal’s economy.
AI: Moving Faster Than Laws (The DNF 2.0 Mandate)
As we move into the era of Digital Nepal Framework 2.0, the focus must shift toward proactive regulation. AI is already impacting the DNF’s priority sectors: health, education, and finance. Without the "Skills and Digital Literacy" pillar of the framework, deep fakes and misinformation will continue to destabilize our democracy and accelerate inequality.
The DNF 2.0 explicitly calls for "Future-Ready" skills. This means decision-makers must understand the magnitude of AI's impact to move beyond reactive governance. Integrating the DNF with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is important to ensure AI serves human welfare.
Focus on proactive regulation, safety research, and public awareness is important. AI is cross-sectoral—impacting health, education, elections, governance and defense—and self-improving. Without proactive safety research and public awareness Deep fakes and misinformation is already destabilizing democracy and accelerating economic inequality. Misinformation in various sectors is already costing lives. Control over AI concentrates in the hands of a few.
Organizations like Rotary, Lion, NGOs and other concerned stakeholders must act as the bridge between experts and the community, as outlined in the DNF’s vision for an inclusive digital society. These institutions must raise awareness, promote ethical standards, and bridge experts, policymakers, and communities. There is an urgent of upskilling and reskilling the human resources of these institutions. Launching AI safety and awareness programs nationwide has become important aligning with institutional growth with Sustainable Development Goals of United Nations.
Nepal has the talent and has the vision. What it needs now is autonomy, structure, and strategic reform. Without structural reform, institutions of Nepal cannot compete internationally, generate high-impact research, or contribute meaningfully to Nepal’s economic and technological transformation. Reactive governance is no longer sufficient. Innovation must proceed at the speed of wisdom, not just capability.
Governing Innovation Before It Governs Us
Nepal is facing a critical moment. Artificial intelligence and advanced technologies are evolving faster than our laws, institutions, and public understanding. Waiting until harm occurs is not protection—it is merely documentation. Decision makers at policy level are not aware of the magnitude of damage due to their ignorance. Nepal stands at a crossroads where the digital and the cultural converge. The Digital Nepal Framework provides the map, but our values provide the compass. Waiting until harm occurs is not protection—it is merely documentation. Our future depends not on the technology we adopt, but on the values, we embed within it. By transitioning from passive witnesses to proactive architects of our own digital landscape, we can ensure that innovation serves as a bridge to progress rather than a barrier to equity. Let us lead with a moral compass, ensuring that the 'New Nepal' is as technologically advanced as it is ethically grounded. Ultimately, our future depends not on the technology we adopt, but on the values we embed within it. By leveraging the DNF to transition from passive witnesses to proactive architects, we can ensure the "New Nepal" is as technologically advanced as it is ethically grounded. Innovation must proceed at the speed of wisdom, guided by a national roadmap that prioritizes people over platforms.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Nepal stands at a critical crossroads where the digital and the cultural converge. Our future depends not on the technology we adopt, but on the values, we embed within it. By transitioning from passive witnesses to proactive architects of our own digital landscape, we can ensure that innovation serves as a bridge to progress rather than a barrier to equity. Let us lead with a moral compass, ensuring that the 'New Nepal' is as technologically advanced as it is ethically grounded.