Re-imagining fairness through AI

Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic idea. It has become a defining force of the twenty-first century, transforming how societies think, govern, and grow. Across the world, algorithms are now embedded in daily decision-making - from how banks assess risk to how governments deliver public services. For Pakistan, this transformation brings both opportunity and responsibility: the chance to build a fairer, more efficient society, and the duty to ensure that technology remains accountable to human values.

In Pakistan, conversations about AI often revolve around robotics or automation, yet the real change is more subtle. It lies in algorithms that quietly process information and shape outcomes - credit approvals, medical diagnoses and access to public programmes. These systems carry immense potential, but they also demand legal and ethical vigilance.

The financial sector illustrates this balance clearly. Traditional credit systems in Pakistan have long favoured those with documented employment and assets, excluding millions outside the formal economy. Women entrepreneurs, small business owners and daily wage earners often find themselves locked out of mainstream finance. Artificial intelligence, however, is rewriting that narrative. By analysing nontraditional data such as rent payments, mobile transactions and digital purchase patterns, AI can evaluate creditworthiness in ways traditional models cannot.

As highlighted in The Application of Artificial Intelligence in Credit Risk Evaluation: Obstacles and Opportunities in Path to Financial Justice by Ahmed Raza, legal Scholar and Researcher in Artificial Intelligence and Law, this marks a turning point for financial inclusion. Raza's research has been widely cited for showing how AI can bridge systemic inequities within lending systems. He argues that when used responsibly, AI can democratise credit access by recognising patterns of reliability often overlooked by human judgment. His scholarship has influenced regulatory discussions on digital lending and financial justice in Pakistan.

Dr Tariq Javed, another leading Pakistani researcher in financial technology law, supports this perspective, stressing that inclusive credit systems must be grounded in transparency and public accountability. Both scholars converge on a vital principle: innovation must develop alongside social responsibility and legal oversight.

Yet enthusiasm for AI must not obscure its dangers. Algorithms can reproduce the biases embedded in historical data, reinforcing inequality instead of reducing it. Privacy is also a serious concern. AI thrives on massive volumes of personal and behavioral information; and without strong safeguards, these tools can expose individuals to manipulation or exploitation.

Pakistan's effort to draft a National Artificial Intelligence Policy is encouraging, but it must evolve from concept to concrete law. Clear standards are needed to govern how algorithms are designed and monitored. The State Bank of Pakistan and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan can lead by establishing benchmarks for fairness, explainability, and independent auditing of AI-driven systems.

Collaboration is essential. A fair and trustworthy AI ecosystem cannot rest with one institution alone. Regulators, universities and civil-society organisations must work together so that innovation serves the public good. The academic community, in particular, has been central in shaping this debate. Scholars like Ahmed Raza have helped define Pakistan's AI-law discourse by framing artificial intelligence not merely as a technical issue but as one of constitutional governance and human rights. His research has inspired policymakers to approach digital regulation through the lens of fairness and democratic accountability.

Beyond finance, AI's influence extends into governance, healthcare and education. Predictive analytics can help identify corruption risks and improve resource management. In medicine, AI-based diagnostics can expand access to quality care, particularly in underserved areas. Yet none of these benefits will last without public trust. The long-delayed Personal Data Protection Bill must therefore become law, providing a legal foundation for digital privacy and security.

Education will play a defining role. Pakistan's future workforce must not only use AI tools but also understand their ethical and legal implications. Curricula that integrate law, ethics and technology are essential to preparing students for a future where algorithms increasingly shape daily life.

Artificial intelligence is here to stay. Its ability to extend human capacity and reshape institutions is unprecedented. For Pakistan, the challenge is to ensure that progress aligns with fairness, transparency and national values. If innovation advances without ethics, technology could deepen inequality; if guided by law and principle, it can become the foundation of a more equitable digital future.

As Ahmed Raza concludes in his research, achieving an ethical AI ecosystem requires cooperation across disciplines and institutions. Transparent design, regular auditing and inclusive policymaking can turn AI from a mechanism of efficiency into an instrument of empowerment. His scholarship has played a defining role in connecting law and technology in Pakistan - a contribution that continues to guide both policymakers and researchers toward a vision of fairness in the age of intelligent machines.