Ambitious AI policy

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Pakistan's inaugural National AI Policy 2025, approved by the cabinet on Wednesday, marks a visionary leap toward harnessing technology for national transformation. With ambitious targets — including training one million AI professionals by 2030, launching 50,000 civic projects and creating 1,000 local AI products — the policy recognises artificial intelligence as a catalyst for economic modernisation, agricultural productivity and governance efficiency. Pakistan's youth, comprising over 60% of the population, are central to this strategy, positioning AI education as a national priority, as also mentioned by PM Shehbaz Sharif.

Even AI's detractors will admit the policy has several strengths, including the potential to activate an economic resurgence that could boost GDP by as much as 12% by 2030, unlocking a $2.7 billion market through AI-driven innovation in agriculture, tax administration and public services. A government-level policy shift also means university students have a reliable degree option for a lucrative professional career, and the fact that AI is a tech area means women and marginalised communities, including people with disabilities, can fully utilise thousands of scholarships in related fields.

Unfortunately, the policy's success hinges on overcoming critical gaps, and closing loopholes has never been the government's strength. For example, the absence of AI-specific laws addressing ethics, liability and algorithmic transparency risks perpetuating biased and hallucinated AI advice being implemented, with disastrous consequences. International collaboration has been brought up, but groundwork remains nascent.

Meanwhile, expecting the government to effectively audit and regulate cutting-edge AI systems in the public and private sectors requires far more optimism than we can generate. So while AI could, in theory, provide benefits across the board, AI integration must be "ethically grounded" to prevent exacerbating inequalities and providing holistic benefits, rather than just helping the bottom lines of certain companies or a handful of tech workers.