Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already changing how people work, learn, and do business. Countries around the world are using AI to improve services and increase productivity. However, experts and business leaders are still learning about its long-term impact. As AI continues to grow, Pakistan AI Readiness has become an important topic, with experts saying the country needs stronger digital systems and better planning to keep pace with this technology.
Artificial Intelligence Has Arrived, but Pakistan Remains Largely Unprepared
There has also been an increase in the utilization of AI tools, including ChatGPT, in Pakistan. Nevertheless, experts indicate that the country is still not ready for the impacts of AI. According to experts, Pakistan suffers from weak digitization and an inadequate information collection process. Most government-maintained databases predate the advent of the internet and the AI era. Low-quality data could lead to unreliable AI outcomes and poor decision-making. Notably, Pakistan being unready for AI is not going to shield the country from its impacts but will make economic matters worse.
People and Businesses Have Mixed Views
The adoption of AI technologies is growing among students, professionals, and office workers because of better smartphone and internet access. Popular AI tools, including the Meta AI Image Generator, have also increased public interest in artificial intelligence. At the same time, many people worry that AI could reduce job opportunities. Businesses, however, see AI as a way to improve efficiency, lower costs, and increase productivity, although many organizations still do not have a clear AI strategy. Former PIDE research director Dr. Dur-e-Nayab said even experts are still learning about AI because the technology is evolving very quickly.
Government and Data Systems Need Improvement
The government has started several initiatives to support AI adoption. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb introduced an AI-based tax administration system to improve efficiency. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has also introduced a data protection and governance framework and established the Pakistan Digital Authority. In addition, the government plans to develop AI and innovation hubs across the country. These efforts could also support future technologies, including AI Disaster Response, as AI continues to expand into different sectors.
Read more: Punjab Approves AI Classes and Labs for Primary School Students
In spite of all these attempts, there is no official information about AI adoption in Pakistan yet. Dr Naeem Zafar, the Chief Statistician at the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), stated that the bureau does not have any statistics on AI adoption in both the private and public sectors. The current surveys do not include such indicators as jobs threatened by automation through AI adoption.
Businesses Are Slowly Adopting AI
Chairman SECP Akif Saeed stated that Pakistan remains highly dependent on paper, highlighting that digitalization is far from being completed. In addition, he highlighted that AI is only applied to certain fields and there is no database related to AI utilization by firms. Muhammad Shahzar Illahi, CEO of EnablifyAI, has stated that banks dominate in terms of AI adoption as they design their own AI solutions and hire AI engineers. Illahi’s company worked with various organizations such as UBL, Gallup, SECP, Telenor, Jazz, and insurers. Meanwhile, most of the businesses lack an official AI strategy. Furthermore, Illahi has pointed out that even though 80 to 85 percent of executives and professionals utilize ChatGPT, they remain unaware of data security threats posed by public AI platforms.
Read more: Google Pixel 11 Series Leak Reveals Launch Details and Prices
Experts Call for Better Planning
AI is expected to affect several office-based jobs such as data entry, finance management, compliance work, human resource management, customer service, and graphic design. Manual manufacturing-based jobs are not anticipated to be much impacted. Technology analyst Asad Ali Shah argues that Pakistan should create its own solutions related to AI rather than copying foreign policies. He states that the country should pay more attention to digital education, data processing, and innovation. All the experts say that currently, Pakistan’s AI readiness is in its infancy and can take advantage of AI technology only if it improves digital infrastructure and data processing, educates leaders, and prepares its citizens for future changes in technology. News source eTimes Pakistan.
