On Saturday, 6 September 2025, the Internet Society Nepal Chapter (Open Internet Nepal), in collaboration with the Digital Media Foundation (DMF), co‑hosted the Second National Summit on Artificial Intelligence at Hotel Himalaya, Kupondole, Lalitpur.

Launched in 2024 as a joint annual initiative, the National AI Summit has quickly become Nepal’s foremost platform for serious, inclusive conversations on how Artificial Intelligence can advance development—without sacrificing rights, equity, or accountability. The 2025 edition took this mission a step further.

A Full House for Nepal’s AI Conversation

The one‑day summit brought together more than 300 participants from:

• Government and regulatory bodies
• Banking and financial institutions
• Tech companies and startups
• Universities and research centers
• Civil society and digital rights groups
• Media and communications professionals

The atmosphere at Hotel Himalaya was electric—hallways buzzing with ideas, demos, and debates about what AI means for Nepal’s economy, democracy, and everyday life.

The program combined:

• Keynote addresses from leading policymakers and AI practitioners
• High‑level panel discussions that cut across sectors and disciplines
• A vibrant exhibition of Nepali AI and robotics projects, proving that innovation is already taking root at home

From Hype to Substance: Themes that Mattered

Rather than treating AI as just another buzzword, the summit focused on concrete questions Nepal must answer now—before technologies outpace institutions.

1. AI and Prosperity

How can AI help Nepal leapfrog development challenges instead of deepening inequalities?

Speakers explored:

• AI applications in agriculture, tourism, logistics, and public services
• The role of startups and local innovators in building context‑aware solutions
• Skills, education, and workforce transitions needed to ensure prosperity is shared, not concentrated

2. Financial Transformation

In banking and finance, AI promises smarter credit scoring, fraud detection, and personalized services—but it also raises serious concerns.

Discussions highlighted:

• Opportunities to expand financial inclusion through data‑driven tools
• Risks of algorithmic bias, opaque decision‑making, and over‑reliance on data brokers
• The need for transparent and accountable AI systems in a sector that directly touches citizens’ livelihoods

3. Healthcare in Low‑Resource Settings

Can AI meaningfully strengthen healthcare where doctors, infrastructure, and budgets are limited?

Panelists examined:

• AI‑assisted diagnostics, telemedicine, and health information systems
• Data gaps and ethical questions around medical data in low‑resource contexts
• Ensuring that AI supports—rather than replaces—frontline health workers and community‑based care

4. Misinformation in the Age of Generative AI

With generative AI tools making it easier than ever to create convincing fake content, misinformation and disinformation were front and center.

Key concerns included:

• Deepfakes and manipulated media during elections and crises
• The impact on public trust, journalism, and democratic discourse
• Strategies that combine media literacy, platform accountability, and smart regulation—not censorship

5. Policy for Ethical and Sustainable AI

Underlying every session was a bigger question: What kind of AI governance does Nepal need?

The summit underscored the urgency of:

• National AI principles grounded in human rights and constitutional values
• Clear accountability and transparency frameworks for public and private AI deployments
• Strong data protection and privacy laws to prevent misuse and harm
• Inclusive, multi‑stakeholder processes for drafting AI policy—where government, industry, academia, and civil society share the table

Why This Summit Matters

By co‑hosting the 2nd National AI Summit, the Internet Society Nepal Chapter and DMF helped:

• Move AI conversations beyond hype to real‑world impacts on finance, health, democracy, and livelihoods
• Connect policymakers with practitioners, researchers, and rights advocates in the same rooms—online and off
• Showcase homegrown AI and robotics innovation, proving that Nepal is not just a consumer but also a creator of technology
• Anchor AI debates in a framework of rights, inclusion, and responsibility, rather than pure efficiency or control

The summit reaffirmed a simple but powerful message:

Nepal’s AI future must be people‑centred—driven by innovation, guided by ethics, and accountable to the public.

As AI continues to shape our institutions, markets, and daily lives, the National AI Summit will remain a critical annual space for reflection, collaboration, and course‑correction.