Saddam Hossein Rony: “The Forum Could Serve as a Link Between Research, Practice and Technology”

Joint digital projects and long-term international cooperation will be among the forum’s main topics. Participants will also discuss promoting domestic digital products abroad, digitalization, technological independence and infrastructure development.

On the eve of the forum, independent researcher and SHADOW (Society for Humanity And Development Over the World) founder Dr. Saddam Hossein Rony told IT Russia about the projects he is working on in Bangladesh and the opportunities for collaboration he hopes to find in Moscow.

– As a researcher and social innovator from Bangladesh, I see the Global Digital Forum as much more than an international event. For me, it is an opportunity to learn from people working on the latest developments in technology, exchange ideas across different fields and understand how digital solutions are being developed and applied in different parts of the world.

My work is mainly connected with adolescent mental health, suicide prevention, digital well-being and youth development. Through Talk Hope, I have been working on an IT-based support platform focused on mental health and suicide prevention. Alongside this practical work, my research has led me to develop the Talk Hope Integrated Model (THIM), through which I study how different biological, social, environmental and digital factors can interact with adolescent well-being. I am also currently exploring an AI-based extension of this work.

As part of my research, I conduct surveys and collect field-level information to better understand the challenges faced by young people. But research does not always end with collecting data. One challenge I find particularly important is connecting research findings with the right technological knowledge, expertise, tools and resources so that research can eventually become practical solutions.

This is one of the main reasons I am interested in the Global Digital Forum. I expect the Forum to be a valuable opportunity to meet researchers, technology companies, digital organizations and other professionals working in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital health, digital safety and responsible technology. I want to understand not only what technologies are being developed, but also how they are being implemented, what challenges developers are facing and what lessons can be applied in other contexts.

For me, the Forum can serve as a bridge between research, practice and technology. The knowledge, technical perspectives and professional connections I gain in Moscow could help me think differently about the next stages of Talk Hope, THIM and our ongoing exploration of AI-based solutions. I am particularly interested in opportunities for research collaboration, knowledge exchange, joint initiatives, training and technological development. I also hope to learn from experiences outside Bangladesh and identify approaches that could be adapted to our local context rather than simply copying solutions developed elsewhere.

Most importantly, I hope the value of my visit will continue after the Forum ends. A meaningful international meeting is not only about the people we meet, but also about whether those conversations create opportunities for meaningful work afterwards. I am therefore coming to Moscow with an open mind: to listen, learn, share what we are developing in Bangladesh and explore what we can build together. I hope to return with new knowledge, new research possibilities, new connections and practical ideas that can contribute to safer and more supportive digital environments for young people.