There is a special energy and stimulation when you sit with hundreds of smartly dressed graduates at their convocation. On June 12, graduates of the 11 colleges of the Royal University of Bhutan received their certificates from His Majesty the King.

There is a special energy and stimulation when you sit with hundreds of smartly dressed graduates at their convocation. On June 12, graduates of the 11 colleges of the Royal University of Bhutan received their certificates from His Majesty the King. As always, there is much to reflect on as His Majesty spoke to the young men and women, highlighting the overwhelming reality of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, and the Royal Vision for the nation’s future.

The sensation of AI was brought home in a fireside conversation between His Majesty and Chat GPT. This was an affirmation of AI to the graduates, some of whom are grappling with the ethical dilemma of drawing on technology that can be used – and is being used – in amazing ways and circumstances. But it is also a reminder that more efficient technology needs greater vigilance. Most of us have the tendency to step back if someone – or something – will do the job. It is worth noting that, although the daily use of AI is a recent norm, the Royal University of Bhutan has even introduced an AI detector because of the globally shared concerns over the (mis)use of AI in school work.

When His Majesty asked the graduates if they used AI, every hand in the large packed hall was raised.

The growing “intelligence” of the tools available to humanity, with much grandeur, has also brought home the risk of becoming dependent on technology rather than technology being used as a tool to accomplish human goals. When digital software emerged, experts warned that, if users did not understand their own jobs, they will use technology to do the wrong things more efficiently. And AI enhances that efficiency.

The chat format, a first in Bhutanese history, was familiar to the tech-savvy generation of graduates so the Royal exchange was informative and relevant. When Chat GPT asked His Majesty to share his own priorities for Gelephu Mindfulness City, we learnt about the governance system coming into place for GMC, the Gelephu international airport being developed as a new international gateway, the strategies to build a diversified and dynamic economy, and the “one country two systems” Diamond Strategy – another global first by Bhutan.

It was with characteristically infectious confidence and optimism that His Majesty the King reminded the graduates of the implications of the Royal vision. It is dramatic. With GMC intrinsically tied to South Asia and naturally connected to South-East Asia, the connecting Indian towns that we know, Jaigaon in the South-West, Bagaigaon in the South-Centre, and Darranga in the South-East will give way to an immediate neighbourhood market of 514 million people. And beyond that lies South-East Asia and the world.

But, even as a packed hall of graduates listened intently to this vision of global dimension, we do not ignore today’s realities. We know that Bhutanese youth and their families are not without ambitions and plans and dreams of their own. Bhutan is aware that the departure of Bhutanese professionals and students for jobs and long-term studies overseas is, potentially, a problem that calls for deeper questioning and reflection and creative response.

The trend is more than an exodus caused by the confusion and alarm of transition. As much as there is the pull factor of higher income elsewhere, there is a push factor that our government and society (families) must deal with. We see a new generation with new mindsets, new needs, and new aspirations. We see potential that is not tapped. There are youth who see no employment and no opportunities in Bhutan. More worrying, some see a system that lacks equity and a growing gap between the haves and have-nots.

A disturbing guesstimate among the students themselves is that, given the chance, a majority of their classmates may leave. It is not different from the concern among senior officials that government professionals continue to seek employment elsewhere.

We face an acute challenge that requires a radical solution. Bhutanese society, as it is, needs a change mindset and work ethics that will not come from a bureaucracy that itself needs change. It will not come from a political layer that struggles to balance votes and capability. It needs innovative and daring transformation, of individuals and the system.

So what is stimulating about 2,000 college graduates receiving an audience? Because there are among them – even if it is a minority – extremely smart women and men with their hearts in the right place. One young woman, who had actually decided to leave the country, changed her mind because she realised that, she has become what she is because of Bhutan. How could she leave when it was time work?

And it is reassuring that the Royal vision strikes the right chords among the right people. Some graduates have already got visas to go overseas, some have applied, some plan to apply. But if every cohort of graduates produces a handful of Bhutanese graduates of this caliber, Bhutan will be safe. Given the inspiration and leadership embodied by His Majesty The King, we see the core team in their quality and resolve, not numbers.

As His Majesty reminded the graduates, Bhutan is at a crossroads… an inflection point. The times are changing and we are on to something special that inspires an intensity of excitement which defies sleep. The real challenge is for today’s generation to work as a team to transform Bhutan with an impact on the world.

“As I stand before you… as your King, I am privileged to be in this position at this juncture and you too are extremely fortunate to be the generation tasked to fundamentally shape the future of Bhutan.”

There are skeptics and there are doubts. What the world – and some Bhutanese – want to know is, can Bhutan do it?

His Majesty the King is consistent in his belief and unshaken in his faith – notwithstanding what the world may think of us – what we may think of ourselves. His Majesty has a simple answer to foreign leaders, global experts and thinkers, and to Bhutanese citizens why will Bhutan succeed?

“I know my own people.” What will the rest of us say if asked the same question?

Contributed by Dasho Kinley Dorji