Is Pakistan Getting Ready For AI Revolution?
Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has taken the world by a storm. It has drawn the attention of academia, businesses and governments around the world. This technology is expected to transform almost every sector from business and commerce to government, industries and defense. Are Pakistanis aware of its potential? Is Pakistan getting ready for what is being described as the "AI Revolution"? Let's examine the answers to these questions.
AI awareness is rising among Pakistan’s general public. The country ranks third with 76% of people being aware of ChatGPT, according to Stanford University’s AI Index Report 2024 covering a survey of 31 countries, including the United States, Europe and East Asia. India (82%), Kenya (81%), Indonesia (76%), and Pakistan (76%) have the highest awareness rates in the world. Brazil and Canada have 64% awareness, UK and Japan 61%, China, Germany and France 60% and the US 55%. Poland reported the lowest awareness, at 43%. Globally, 17% of users utilize it daily, 36% weekly, and 16% monthly. India (36%), Pakistan (28%), and Kenya(27%) report the highest levels of daily usage.
Pakistan is among the top 4 countries for enrollment in Coursera online GenAI courses, according to Jeff Maggioncalda, CEO of Coursera. India, Egypt, Pakistan, and Brazil, make up more than half (52%) of GenAI enrollments on Coursera. It offers more than 4,600 courses and 55 Professional Certificates in up to 21 popular languages, including Arabic, Hindi, and Spanish. Coursera, a global online education platform, was launched in 2012 by two Stanford Computer Science professors, Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller.
Pakistan's HEC (Higher Education Commission) has established a partnership with Coursera to give access to online quality education in Pakistan. As a result, more than 200 universities have gained access to Coursera’s library of courses. Over 267,000 courses have been completed with students logging over 1.4 million learning hours. More than 45,000 learners have achieved deep-skills specialized certifications from internationally recognized institutions, the most popular specializations being Communication, Data Analysis, and Leadership and Management, according to Coursera.
Ashar Aziz Foundation, created and funded by Pakistani-American technology entrepreneur Ashar Aziz, has sponsored Advanced AI Bootcamps at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Islamabad. The bootcamp series not only provides theoretical knowledge but also emphasizes practical, project-based learning, according to NUST.
The first AI bootcamp, which focused on Deep Neural Networks (DNNs), was successfully completed at NUST in November 2023. The second bootcamp provided participants with in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in the development and application of LLMs (Large Language Models). Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences & Technology (GIKI) also joined this initiative in 2024, conducting its own DNN-focused bootcamp. Participants have the opportunity to work with advanced technologies, including access to a 10xH100 NVIDIA GPU AI supercomputer, ensuring they are well-prepared to tackle real-world challenges in AI. As part of its ongoing efforts, NUST plans to partner with additional universities across Pakistan to further scale this initiative, ensuring that more students have access to high-quality AI training, according to NUST.
Smaller towns in Pakistan are also setting up AI programs with the help of Pakistani-Americans. For example, Stanford educated AI expert Shoaib Lari and Silicon Valley based technology executive Jalil Shaikh have helped Islamia University Bahawalpur start an AI program. Jalil Shaikh is now working with US-based companies to place the first group of graduates from this program.
STEM education underlies Artificial Intelligence. Pakistan stands 4th in the world with 642,562 students enrolled in STEM courses– behind Nigeria (675,371), the US (4,639,771) and India (6,000,967), according to Coursera's Global Skills Report 2023. My own estimate based on HEC data is that STEM enrollment in Pakistan exceeds one million.
The Pakistan government has released its National AI Policy Draft for comments. It focuses on how AI can help the country promote its national competitiveness and improve the lives of its citizens by outlining a wide range of developmental initiatives necessary for awareness and adoption of AI, reimagining the transparent and fair use of personal data using AI, and stimulating innovation through industry-academia collaborations and investments in AI-led initiatives. The Pakistan government has set up a National Center for Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST). NCAI has created a a consortium model consisting of 6 public sector universities with 9 specialized research centers spread across Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar.
Pakistan has also seen several private-sector led initiatives to create greater awareness of AI. For instance, Karachi.AI is recognized as a premier community for Applied AI practitioners. Established in 2017, the community proudly hosts over 10,000 members representing various domains. Its mission revolves around three central pillars: raising awareness, promoting engagement, and driving execution. Karachi. AI hosts regular meetups in Karachi, which are also live streamed on its YouTube channel, along with other educational content about AI.
In addition to skilled human capital, the GenAI apps require a lot of digital public infrastructure, powerful computers and large data centers to securely store and rapidly access vast amounts of data. A number of private investors are jumping in to build data centers in Pakistan. Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) is planning to develop data centers across the country as part of an expansion into digital infrastructure. Chakwal Spinning Mills Limited, has recently said it was pivoting to develop data centers.
Related Links:
2021: A Banner Year For Tech Startups in Pakistan
Algorithm: Origins of Artificial Intelligence in Islamic Age
Digital Pakistan 2022: Broadband Penetration Soars to 90% of 15+ Population
STEM Enrollment in Pakistan Exceeds One Million
Digital Public Infrastructure in Pakistan
Solar Power Boom in Pakistan
Pakistan at 75
Growing Presence of Pakistani Women in Science and Technology
Riaz Haq's Youtube Channel
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2573786/pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Four Pakistani information technology firms showcased cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and big data solutions at an exhibition in Amsterdam this week, highlighting the country’s role as a key player in the global tech arena, the commerce ministry said on Thursday.
The AI and Big Data Expo Europe was held from Oct. 1-2 in Amsterdam, featuring next-generation technologies and strategies in the world of artificial intelligence. The event was sponsored by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and included various speakers from the fields of data science.
AI technology enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem-solving, decision making and creativity. Big data refers to extremely large and diverse collections of structured, unstructured, and semi-structured data that continues to grow exponentially over time. Big data is used in machine learning, predictive modeling, and other advanced analytics to solve business problems and make informed decisions.
“Four leading Pakistani IT companies Reach the Globe, ICILtek, NorthBay Solutions and Sofizar/ ConstellationCK proudly represented Pakistan at the AI and Big Data Exhibition Europe at the RAI Convention Center in Amsterdam,” the commerce ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
Pakistan’s embassy in The Hague played an important role in promoting the participation of these companies by ensuring a “seamless setup” of the Pakistan Pavillion, the ministry said. It added that the embassy also facilitated booths for local companies and promoted Pakistani IT firms in front of visitors from different sectors.
The Pakistani embassy hosted a networking dinner to bring together local IT firms and key stakeholders representing Dutch companies, the statement said. The dinner provided a platform for Pakistani and Dutch businesses to discuss collaboration opportunities.
Muhammad Shafiq Haider Virk, Pakistan’s trade and investment councilor in the Netherlands, said the participation of the four local companies demonstrated the South Asian nation’s growing expertise in AI and big data.
“The Embassy of Pakistan in The Hague will continue to support and promote Pakistani businesses on the global stage, strengthening our trade ties with the Netherlands and Europe,” he said.
https://globalsecurityreview.com/generative-artificial-intelligence-and-deterrence-stability-between-india-and-pakistan/
Imagine a scene. It is the Indian military command center on the night of May 28, 2028. A high-ranking Indian military officer sends a message to a subordinate commander; Pakistan has initiated a preemptive strike. Prepare for a retaliatory strike. This is not a drill.
Missile flight time between both India and Pakistan is a few minutes. Hence, commanders do not have time for verification and decide to launch a retaliatory strike on warning.
In Pakistan, a high-ranking Pakistani military officer contacts Pakistan’s prime minister to tell him India has initiated a nuclear strike, and an immediate response is required. The prime minister immediately orders a counterstrike. Pakistan proceeds to counterstrike protocols.
Missiles begin crossing borders between India and Pakistan as the world hurtles towards a nuclear catastrophe in South Asia. The world’s worst fears are realized. It is only later realized that the high-ranking Indian military officer’s message to an Indian commander was made by a nuclear command-and-control system embedded with generative artificial intelligence (AI).
The Role of Generative AI in Modern Warfare
The use of generative AI, which is best exemplified by ChatGPT, by an adversary, or third party, can impact deterrence stability between India and Pakistan. In a worst-case scenario, it could trigger a nuclear war, like the scene mentioned above. Should generative AI be embedded in nuclear command-and-control systems, it is theoretically possible that hyper-personalized messages, like the one described above, could be generated in a system that was not originally designed to allow such an outcome. The potential for a tailored message, for specific individuals, is possible.
Traditionally, content and information generation were based on human creativity. However, at present, generative artificial intelligence is being considered as a tool for digital transformation. Generative AI is a deep learning model which has the capability to generate synthetic media including text, video, and audio—dependent on training.
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Generative AI and Deterrence Stability: A Scenario for De-escalation
It is the night of May 28, 2028, at India’s military command center. A high-ranking Indian military officer sends a message to a subordinate commander; Pakistan has initiated a preemptive strike. Prepare for a retaliatory strike. This is not a drill.
Flight time between India and Pakistan is a few minutes. Hence, commanders do not have time for verification and need to decide quickly whether to launch a retaliatory strike. He calls the command center to verify the message received.
India’s prime minister is contacted immediately concerning the message received by one of his commanders. He picks up the hotline to Pakistan’s prime minister and asks, “Have you launched nuclear weapons?”
Pakistan’s prime minister responds, “Not at all. This is fake!”
India’s prime minister informs the military command center. The crisis is averted, and nuclear weapons are not used.
Confidence-building measures, which were present in the second scenario, have the opportunity to change the outcome of a conflict. Given the potential for artificial intelligence to be used in nefarious ways, it is time to take action to avert such a crisis.
https://globalsecurityreview.com/generative-artificial-intelligence-and-deterrence-stability-between-india-and-pakistan/
Imagine a scene. It is the Indian military command center on the night of May 28, 2028. A high-ranking Indian military officer sends a message to a subordinate commander; Pakistan has initiated a preemptive strike. Prepare for a retaliatory strike. This is not a drill.
Missile flight time between both India and Pakistan is a few minutes. Hence, commanders do not have time for verification and decide to launch a retaliatory strike on warning.
In Pakistan, a high-ranking Pakistani military officer contacts Pakistan’s prime minister to tell him India has initiated a nuclear strike, and an immediate response is required. The prime minister immediately orders a counterstrike. Pakistan proceeds to counterstrike protocols.
Missiles begin crossing borders between India and Pakistan as the world hurtles towards a nuclear catastrophe in South Asia. The world’s worst fears are realized. It is only later realized that the high-ranking Indian military officer’s message to an Indian commander was made by a nuclear command-and-control system embedded with generative artificial intelligence (AI).
The Role of Generative AI in Modern Warfare
The use of generative AI, which is best exemplified by ChatGPT, by an adversary, or third party, can impact deterrence stability between India and Pakistan. In a worst-case scenario, it could trigger a nuclear war, like the scene mentioned above. Should generative AI be embedded in nuclear command-and-control systems, it is theoretically possible that hyper-personalized messages, like the one described above, could be generated in a system that was not originally designed to allow such an outcome. The potential for a tailored message, for specific individuals, is possible.
Traditionally, content and information generation were based on human creativity. However, at present, generative artificial intelligence is being considered as a tool for digital transformation. Generative AI is a deep learning model which has the capability to generate synthetic media including text, video, and audio—dependent on training.
----------------
Generative AI and Deterrence Stability: A Scenario for De-escalation
It is the night of May 28, 2028, at India’s military command center. A high-ranking Indian military officer sends a message to a subordinate commander; Pakistan has initiated a preemptive strike. Prepare for a retaliatory strike. This is not a drill.
Flight time between India and Pakistan is a few minutes. Hence, commanders do not have time for verification and need to decide quickly whether to launch a retaliatory strike. He calls the command center to verify the message received.
India’s prime minister is contacted immediately concerning the message received by one of his commanders. He picks up the hotline to Pakistan’s prime minister and asks, “Have you launched nuclear weapons?”
Pakistan’s prime minister responds, “Not at all. This is fake!”
India’s prime minister informs the military command center. The crisis is averted, and nuclear weapons are not used.
Confidence-building measures, which were present in the second scenario, have the opportunity to change the outcome of a conflict. Given the potential for artificial intelligence to be used in nefarious ways, it is time to take action to avert such a crisis.
https://www.biometricupdate.com/202402/pakistan-executes-ai-powered-criminal-identification-system
Pakistan is rapidly advancing into a technologically advanced era, and its provinces are embracing innovation to transform law enforcement systems. The Punjab Safe City project, a joint project between Punjab Police and PITB, is leading this change by implementing the AI-powered Face Trace System (FTS) to increase the effectiveness of biometric criminal identification and detention.
Not to be outdone, Safe City Projects in Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) are progressing significantly. While KPK is leading the way with its ground-breaking AI security control system in Peshawar, Sindh promises increased security with the completion of the Karachi AI facial recognition project soon.
Baluchistan is getting close to finishing its Quetta Safe City Project, which is adding to this momentum. This project intends to improve security protocols and update law enforcement with more than 1,400 strategically placed IP cameras spread over 255 sites. The initiative, which was designed domestically, demonstrates Baluchistan’s dedication to digital technology independence.
These programs demonstrate Pakistan’s commitment to using biometric technology to follow terrorists, suspects, accused parties, and criminals across the country as they develop. The Face Trace System (FTS), was created to improve accountability, efficiency, and dependability in digitally tracking down criminal identities.
The execution of Face Trace System (FTC) in Punjab
The Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) System, which is based on artificial intelligence (AI) and uses sophisticated technology to identify vehicles involved in criminal activity, is one of the technologies represented by the development of the FTS. This system records and captures license plate information. Chairman of the Punjab Information Technology Board, PITB, Faisal Yousaf, briefed the Media. The Facial Recognition System, which is based on Artificial Intelligence, takes pictures automatically and compares them with a vast database that has been compiled. This database includes 18 million driving license records and pictures, 1.8 million records from the Crime Record Branch, 1.3 million from the Punjab Khidmat Marakaz, and 300,000 records of accused persons and criminals from Punjab prisons. Law enforcement officials can identify and track suspects who CCTV cameras and other sources with the use of this system have identified.
An important step towards Punjab province’s goal of modernizing law enforcement is the introduction of new digital technology. With the help of this extensive database and the user-friendly online platform of the FTS, investigations are accelerated and laborious processes are replaced with smooth identification and verification. Identification procedures are streamlined using AI-driven facial and vehicle number plate recognition, which cuts down on the time and resources required for investigations. With these cutting-edge capabilities, police can ensure public safety by responding swiftly to track illegal activity. Furthermore, law enforcement’s efficiency in holding suspects is improved by the FTS’s capacity to arrest offenders in a multiplicity of settings.
The progress of AI-driven safe city project in Sindh province
Advancements in surveillance technology
A paradigm shift in law enforcement technology is represented by the Safe City project of Sindh province, which uses surveillance systems. This system, which consists of carefully placed cameras with cutting-edge capabilities like facial recognition, night vision, and vehicle plate recording, raises the block for public safety and crime prevention. Law enforcement officials may now quickly identify and monitor suspects by utilizing state-of-the-art AI technology, which improves their ability to initially maintain law and order across vulnerable parts of Karachi city.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1861988#:~:text=The%20global%20AI%20revolution%20demands,Pakistan%20in%20the%20global%20arena.
By focusing on tech education, talent development, and promoting freelancing, Pakistan can build a future-ready workforce while preventing further talent exodus. Based on the latest Pakistan Economic Survey for 2023-24, over 13.53 million Pakistanis have officially migrated to work in more than 50 countries by April 2024.
But what happens when countries absorbing Pakistan’s talent face their own AI-driven job crises? AI is set to displace millions of jobs globally. Key destinations like Canada, the UK, Germany, and the US are already experiencing AI disruption. If opportunities abroad diminish, remittances may no longer ease economic pressure, leaving Pakistan’s youth with limited prospects both at home and abroad.
Globally, AI is projected to contribute $15.7 trillion to the economy by 2030, according to a PwC Global Artificial Intelligence Study. Yet, an International Monetary Fund analysis explains that AI exposes 40 per cent of global jobs to automation, with up to 60pc of jobs in advanced economies affected. In response, millions of workers are undergoing retraining, with employers prioritising AI skills by 2027.
When asked whether UBI could sufficiently mitigate AI-driven job displacement, experts remain uncertain. While UBI may provide relief in countries with strong social safety nets, it is less feasible for developing nations like Pakistan. With a workforce vulnerable to automation, Pakistan must prioritise alternative strategies — reskilling, sectoral reforms, and proactive policies — to protect jobs.
However, structural gaps in education, science, and technology impede Pakistan’s preparations. Poor execution of technological strategies, insufficient monitoring, and a lack of skilled resources prevent Pakistan from capitalising on AI opportunities. Without targeted reforms, the country risks falling behind in the global race for innovation.
A significant challenge lies in the disconnect between key stakeholders and the absence of a unified vision for science, technology, and higher education. Addressing these gaps is critical for creating an environment conducive to AI adoption. Yet, AI remains a low priority in national policies. Pakistan also lacks a comprehensive commercialisation framework for research and development, which hinders collaboration between researchers and industry.
The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) system, developed by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration, could offer a structured approach to guide innovation from concept to market deployment. Without such frameworks, ad-hoc commercialisation of research limits its impact, weakening the bridge between academia and industry.
https://zigron.com/2024/05/24/why-pakistan-is-your-next-technology-hub/
Pakistan – The Next Technology Hub
The world will need 80M software engineers by 2030 to keep up with the technological pace. There will be a shortage of estimated 30M technologists, and with the Russia/Ukraine war, this gap will only grow. With India up to its neck and talent gobbled up by more prominent companies; Pakistan is the only logical destination for technology resource hiring. Pakistan has universities, advanced infrastructure, government policies, and existing 300,000 talent growing rapidly by multitudes. With all these in place, Pakistan is today’s destination for finding tech talent. With Zigron’s past and current experience of serving startups to multi-billion dollar organizations; Zigron is here to bridge this gap for the companies facing a shortage of skilled tech workers today and in the future.
Why is Pakistan being termed Asia’s next Tech Hub?
Pakistan is the 3rd largest IT-enabled services exporter, with more than 40 percent software development. Pakistan is continuously creating high-tech industries and expanding its cyber security, system integration, data center, and IT outsourcing, i.e., AI, ML, IoT, Blockchain, Big Data Analytics, and Cloud Engineering. The biggest reason of all is that Pakistan is home to more than 144 universities; with some top-ranked world universities like NUST, GIKI, FAST, LUMS, UET, NED, etc., offering IT and Engineering degree programs that have so far produced over 300,000 IT professionals with expertise in AI/ML, Data Scientists, Full Stack, DB, DevOps, Designers, UI/UX, Embedded, Firmware Engineers, etc. In addition, they have been producing hardcore engineers like Electrical, CAD, Structural, Solar, Wind, Civil, Geotechnical, etc.
Pakistani universities are on the mission to make world-class talent and continue to do so with skills unmatched and dexterity unprecedented. Sky being the limit, skilled Pakistani talent is all you need to grow into a giant organization with technology expertise like AI, ML, IoT, Blockchain, Big Data Analytics, Cloud, etc. With all the efforts to further support and advance these industries; Govt is expecting 50 billion USD annual exports from the technology sector by 2030. With a lot to offer in the tech industry; Pakistani engineers are fully equipped to play their vital role in helping companies grow and succeed. Zigron also takes huge pride in being a pioneer in offering top-of-scale IT services and Engineering talent globally over the past 15 years and continues to enrich the IT world with its state-of-the-art solutions and services.
Pakistan’s IT exports are at an all-time high, with over a 30 percent growth in the last eight months.
Pakistan has made significant successes in IT exports and crossed a mark of 2 billion USD last year. Although numbers are good; there is still a significantly undiscovered IT talent that is yet to be unleashed and utilized to the full extent. Seeing the tech-minded youth, Prime Minister Imran Khan launched a ‘Digital Pakistan’ initiative; focusing on connectivity, digital infrastructure, digital skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship to further upskill the unexplored talent. The government of Pakistan has taken the forefront to uplift tech minds and help them grow by establishing a Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) to develop a high-tech economy for rapid growth.
By ProPK Staff | Published Oct 21, 2024 | 5:03 pm
https://propakistani.pk/2024/10/21/it-exports-up-by-42-in-september-2024/
The country’s information technology and IT-enabled services (ITeS) export remittances comprising computer services and call center services went up by 42 percent to $292 million during September 2024 compared to $206 million in the same period last year, latest data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) revealed on Monday.
During September 24, technology exports went up 42 percent YoY but down 2 percent MoM, still contributing 44 percent of the overall services exports.
In the first quarter of fiscal year 2024-25, technology exports were up 34 percent at $876 million compared to $656 million in 1QFY24.
IT export remittances reached an all-time high of $3.223 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24 while registering 24 percent growth when compared to $2.596 billion in 2022-23.
Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja shared that YoY jump in IT exports is due to (i) IT export companies growing client base globally, especially in GCC region, (ii) relaxation in the permissible retention limit by the State Bank of Pakistan, increasing it from 35 percent to 50 percent in the Exporters’ Specialized Foreign Currency Accounts, and (iii) stability in PKR encouraging IT exporters to bring higher portion of profits back to Pakistan.
According to the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) survey 62 percent of IT companies are maintaining specialized foreign currency accounts.
A major development in July 2024 was SBP adding a new category of Equity Investment Abroad (EIA), specifically for export-oriented IT companies. IT exporters can now acquire interest (shareholding) in entities abroad utilizing up to 50 percent of proceeds from specialized foreign currency accounts. This development will further boost the confidence of IT exporters to remit proceeds back to Pakistan.
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Arif Habib Limited
@ArifHabibLtd
Technology exports went up by 42% YoY during Sep’24 to USD 292mn
During Sep’24, technology exports went up 42% YoY | -2% MoM to USD 292mn contributing 44% to the overall services.
https://x.com/ArifHabibLtd/status/1848325449233166624
https://www.dawn.com/news/1868425
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday championed the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as he underscored the importance of a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation in the domains of AI, education and health and called for collective global efforts and partnerships to overcome contemporary challenges.
The prime minister arrived earlier today in Riyadh to attend the eighth edition of the two-day Future Investment Initiative (FII). The FII, scheduled for Oct 29-30, serves as a major platform for countries to promote economic potential, attract foreign investments and discuss strategies for sustainable growth.
Attended by global leaders, this year’s FII is themed “Infinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow” and focuses on global investments aimed at addressing major issues such as AI, robotics, education, energy, space, finance, healthcare, and sustainability.
The participating countries are set to engage in dialogue for the promotion of investment and a sustainable future while highlighting the strength of their respective economies. The first day featured discussions on artificial intelligence, robotics, education, energy, space, public health, and challenges confronting sustainable development.
Addressing the plenary session, PM Shehbaz said Pakistan was laying the foundation for a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation in three pivotal domains, artificial intelligence, education, and health, in which it looked forward to forging useful partnerships.
“AI is more than a trend; it’s a force revolutionising economies, societies, and industries. At this critical juncture, Pakistan is not just embracing AI, we are committed to excelling in it,” he said, adding the government’s mission was clear and that was to encourage young minds to redefine the boundaries of AI, training skilled engineers and data scientists as the backbone of the country’s AI growth and equipping their workforce to harness the power of AI across industries.
Along with Saudi Arabia and like-minded global partners, the prime minister said Pakistan envisioned AI as a force for good, free from biases.
The prime minister further said that in agriculture, climate resilience, and the fight against misinformation, AI’s potential could be unleashed not merely to compete, but to uplift and empower.
“Our aspirations in AI and beyond are deeply rooted in a solid educational foundation. Through educational reforms, vocational training and digital literacy, we aim to build a skilled, tech-savvy generation,” he added.
He said that no nation could overcome today’s challenges alone and no single country could harness the potential of tomorrow without the support of others.
“Pakistan stands ready to join those who dare to dream big. We invite you to invest, to bring your expertise and creativity to Pakistan, as we build a future rooted in resilience and shared prosperity,” the prime minister said.
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Shehbaz Sharif
@CMShehbaz
Honored to address the
@FIIKSA
in Riyadh on the theme ‘Infinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow.’ Emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to leveraging investments in Artificial Intelligence, Education, and Health to drive human advancement. By investing in AI, we aim to enhance productivity; in education, to empower future generations; and in health, to shape a future that’s inclusive, innovative, and sustainable. #FII8
https://x.com/CMShehbaz/status/1851277536443187460
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/10/24/2968536/0/en/VEON-s-Jazz-Launches-FikrFree-An-AI-Powered-Digital-Marketplace-to-Unlock-Affordable-Insurance-and-Healthcare-in-Pakistan.html
VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON, Euronext Amsterdam: VEON), a global digital operator (“VEON” or the “Company”), today announces that Jazz, its digital operator in Pakistan, has launched FikrFree, a new AI-powered digital marketplace for insurance and healthcare. The platform aims to bridge a significant gap in Pakistan, where insurance sector penetration is less than 1% of GDP according to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, and millions lack access to essential healthcare. In comparison, insurance penetration in other countries is significantly higher (over 7% of GDP in the US and more than 9% of GDP in the UK, according to the World Bank). FikrFree helps users find accessible and affordable coverage through personalized insurance plans and healthcare services.
FikrFree aims to reach the underserved healthcare market in Pakistan through an innovative platform that seamlessly integrates insurance, healthcare, and financial services all in one mobile app. FikrFree also leverages artificial intelligence to recommend personalized insurance plans for customers. The new digital service builds on VEON’s commitment to creating innovative digital solutions as part of its Digital Operator 1440 strategy, offering customers a portfolio of connected services that are relevant for each of the 1,440 minutes in a day. In 2Q24, direct digital revenues represented over 10% of VEON Group’s total revenues.
"Access to affordable healthcare is a fundamental need. In Pakistan, where millions struggle to find suitable insurance coverage and healthcare services, VEON is addressing this challenge with connected digital services. With the launch of FikrFree, we are empowering customers to access personalized insurance plans, specialist doctors, and on-demand medicine delivery—all in one seamless platform. Our digital operator strategy focuses on investing in services that enhance lives, and with FikrFree, we aim to make affordable healthcare accessible to all Pakistanis," says Kaan Terzioglu, CEO of VEON Group.
https://www.unodc.org/copak/en/Stories/SP4/unodc-pakistan-provided-law-enforcement-with-cutting-edge-training-on-crime-analytics-and-ai-models-to-counter-terrorism.html
28 September 2024, Islamabad - UNODC Pakistan organized a comprehensive workshop aimed at building the capacity of National Counter Terrorism Authority analyst’s in using advanced crime analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to combat terrorism. The workshop covered a wide range of critical topics, equipping participants with the skills and knowledge needed to analyze data and counter terrorism through innovative AI techniques. In total 25 analysts including 7 women participated in the training session.
The participants were introduced to the fundamentals of intelligence gathering, the intelligence cycle, and the development of intelligence products. Practical discussions were held around strategic intelligence and its pivotal role in decision-making. Participants also reviewed products developed in earlier training sessions on i2 Analyst's Notebook and Power BI, enabling them to grasp how past learnings integrate with the current focus on terrorism prevention. The workshop covered data analysis, beginning with an introduction to various data forms and their relevance in crime intelligence. Sessions covered both qualitative and quantitative data, with participants learning how to distinguish between structured and unstructured data and their real-world applications in intelligence work.
The hands-on segment includes Textalyser, an online tool used to analyze qualitative data specially for conducting sentimental analysis allowing participants to experiment with real-world examples. Participants were engaged through thought-provoking case studies, including analyses of social media sentiment and notable incidents such as the Al Qaeda network and the Sialkot lynching case. These examples highlighted the practical value of AI tools like Voyant in unraveling criminal networks and understanding public sentiment related to terrorist activities.
The overall workshop was dedicated to hands-on sessions with low-code and no-code AI platforms, empowering participants to leverage AI without the need for extensive programming knowledge. Practical exercises included case studies using Google Teachable Machines for image classification and Google Cloud AutoML for predictive crime analytics, both of which offer powerful tools for identifying criminal patterns and behaviors in complex datasets.
The workshop concluded with a closing session that recapped the key learnings and allowed participants to discuss the next steps in their professional development.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1873376
KARACHI: Despite internet disruptions and firewall issues, Pakistan’s IT exports rose 35 per cent to $1.21bn during July-October 2024-25.
Nasheed Malik of Topline Securities said exports have risen due to IT export companies’ growing client base globally, especially in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, relaxation in the permissible retention limit increasing it from 35pc to 50pc in the Exporters’ Specialised Foreign Currency Accounts, and exchange rate stability encouraged IT exporters to bring a higher portion of profits back to Pakistan.
IT exports surged 39pc year-on-year and 13pc month-on-month to $330m in October.
These monthly IT exports in October 2024 are higher than last 12-month average of $287mn. This is the 13th consecutive month of YoY IT export growth, starting from October 2023, he said.
He said the MoM increase in IT exports is due to a higher number of working days in October (23) compared to September (20). Export proceeds per day were recorded at $14.3mn for October 2024 versus $14.6mn in September 2024.
Pakistani IT companies are actively engaged with global clients. He added that leading IT companies recently attended Oslo Innovation Week 2024 and the Pak-US Tech Investment Conference.
According to a Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) survey, 62pc of IT companies maintain specialised foreign currency accounts.
Nasheed said a major development in FY25 was SBP adding a new category of Equity Investment Abroad (EIA), specifically for export-oriented IT companies. IT exporters can now acquire interest (shareholding) in entities abroad utilising up to 50pc proceeds from specialised foreign currency accounts.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/labelers-training-ai-say-theyre-overworked-underpaid-and-exploited-60-minutes-transcript/
Naftali Wambalo: I did labeling for videos and images.
Naftali and digital workers like him, spent eight hours a day in front of a screen studying photos and videos, drawing boxes around objects and labeling them, teaching the AI algorithms to recognize them.
Naftali Wambalo: You'd label, let's say, furniture in a house. And you say "This is a TV. This is a microwave." So you are teaching the AI to identify these items. And then there was one for faces of people. The color of the face. "If it looks like this, this is white. If it looks like this, it's Black. This is Asian." You're teaching the AI to identify them automatically.
Humans tag cars and pedestrians to teach autonomous vehicles not to hit them. Humans circle abnormalities to teach AI to recognize diseases. Even as AI is getting smarter, humans in the loop will always be needed because there will always be new devices and inventions that'll need labeling.
Lesley Stahl: You find these humans in the loop not only here in Kenya but in other countries thousands of miles from Silicon Valley. In India, the Philippines, Venezuela - often countries with large low wage populations - well educated but unemployed.
Nerima Wako-Ojiwa: Honestly, it's like modern-day slavery. Because it's cheap labor–
Lesley Stahl: Whoa. What do you –
Nerima Wako-Ojiwa: It's cheap labor.
Like modern day slavery, says Nerima Wako-Ojiwa, a Kenyan civil rights activist, because big American tech companies come here and advertise the jobs as a ticket to the future. But really, she says, it's exploitation.
Nerima Wako-Ojiwa: What we're seeing is an inequality.
Lesley Stahl: It sounds so good. An AI job! Is there any job security?
Nerima Wako-Ojiwa: The contracts that we see are very short-term. And I've seen people who have contracts that are monthly, some of them weekly, some of them days. Which is ridiculous.
She calls the workspaces AIi sweatshops with computers instead of sewing machines.
Nerima Wako-Ojiwa: I think that we're so concerned with "creating opportunities," but we're not asking, "Are they good opportunities?"
Because every year a million young people enter the job market, the government has been courting tech giants like Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Intel to come here, promoting Kenya's reputation as the Silicon Savannah: tech savvy and digitally connected.
Nerima Wako-Ojiwa: The president has been really pushing for opportunities in AI –
Lesley Stahl: President?
Nerima Wako-Ojiwa: Yes.
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Fasica: I was basically reviewing content which are very graphic, very disturbing contents. I was watching dismembered bodies or drone attack victims. You name it. You know, whenever I talk about this, I still have flashbacks.
Lesley Stahl: Are any of you a different person than they were before you had this job?
Fasica: Yeah. I find it hard now to even have conversations with people. It's just that I find it easier to cry than to speak.
Nathan: You continue isolating you-- yourself from people. You don't want to socialize with others. It's you and it's you alone.
Lesley Stahl: Are you a different person?
Naftali Wambalo: Yeah. I'm a different person. I used to enjoy my marriage, especially when it comes to bedroom fireworks. But after the job I hate sex.
Lesley Stahl: You hated sex?
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These three and nearly 200 other digital workers are suing SAMA and Meta over "unreasonable working conditions" that caused psychiatric problems
@globaltimesnews
AI is rapidly transforming various industries in China, creating numerous job opportunities, including in the field of data labeling. Recently, Global Times reporters visited the Ningxia Artificial Intelligence Industrial Park in Wuzhong, the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in Northwest China, to explore how AI, as a new driving force in productivity, is generating not only new employment opportunities but also new challenges and trends. At a local data labeling base, young annotators can be seen busily identifying specific words in text or speech, outlining objects in images or videos, and tagging them on their computers.
https://x.com/globaltimesnews/status/1869594668180369511
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Inside the Ningxia Data Labeling Industrial Base in NW China
https://www.globaltimes.cn/galleries/5598.html
Editor's Note:
AI is rapidly transforming various industries in China, creating numerous job opportunities, including in the field of data labeling. Recently, Global Times reporters visited the Ningxia Artificial Intelligence Industrial Park in Wuzhong, the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in Northwest China, to explore how AI, as a new driving force in productivity, is generating not only new employment opportunities but also new challenges and trends. At a local data labeling base, young annotators can be seen busily identifying specific words in text or speech, outlining objects in images or videos, and tagging them on their computers. (Photos: Chen Tao/GT)
Pakistan Embarks on Construction of Its Largest Nuclear Power Plant
https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/3210144-pakistan-embarks-on-construction-of-its-largest-nuclear-power-plant
Pakistan is constructing its largest nuclear power plant, Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit 5, with a capacity of 1200 MWe. The Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority has granted the necessary license. This Chinese-designed Hualong reactor will strengthen Pakistan's energy grid with safe, advanced technological features.
The regulatory approval follows a comprehensive review of safety assessments and operational plans submitted by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission earlier this year. This plant will be a third-generation Pressurized Water Reactor of Chinese Hualong design, enhancing energy provision with both active and passive safety features.
With an estimated cost of USD 3.7 billion and a projected lifespan of 60 years, this installation is expected to contribute significantly to Pakistan's grid, joining the already operational Karachi Nuclear Power Plants units 2 and 3.
https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2585038/pakistan
Established in 2016, BIONIKS says its mobile factory is equipped with AI tools to design limbs
Company says its initiative is part of its belief that technology has the power to transform lives
KARACHI: BIONIKS, a Karachi-based startup specializing in orthotics and prosthetics, has launched a mobile AI-powered limb factory in Gaza to provide customized prosthetic arms and legs to amputees in the conflict-stricken region, the company announced in its newsletter on Wednesday.
The company, established in 2016, announced the initiative as part of its commitment to creating an inclusive world by leveraging cutting-edge technology to transform lives.
The mobile factory is equipped with advanced artificial intelligence tools to design and produce prosthetic limbs, enabling on-site assistance in underserved areas.
“We believe technology has the power to transform lives,” BIONIKS said in a statement. “By taking advanced prosthetic solutions directly to those in need, we aim to restore independence, mobility, and dignity to individuals affected by conflict and hardship.”
The initiative comes as Gaza grapples with a dire humanitarian crisis since the beginning of Israel’s military campaign in October 2023. BIONIKS said it hoped the factory would act as a lifeline for amputees by providing accessible and innovative solutions in regions where resources are limited.
BIONIKS gained international attention in 2021 when it provided a multi-grip bionic arm to four-year-old Mohammed Sideeq, making him the youngest recipient of such a prosthetic limb.
The startup’s co-founder, Anas Niaz, said designing the arm for a child so young was unprecedented.
“No one in the world has ever made a bionic arm for such a young age,” Niaz told Arab News in 2021. “We knew this was nearly impossible, but Mohammed had high hopes to get a bionic arm.”
The lightweight and durable arm allowed Sideeq to resume daily activities, including playing and buttoning his shirt, showcasing BIONIKS’ commitment to blending innovation with functionality.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/24/how-chinas-new-ai-model-deepseek-is-threatening-us-dominance.html
A little-known AI lab out of China has ignited panic throughout Silicon Valley after releasing AI models that can outperform America's best despite being built more cheaply and with less-powerful chips.
DeepSeek, as the lab is called, unveiled a free, open-source large-language model in late December that it says took only two months and less than $6 million to build, using reduced-capability chips from Nvidia called H800s.
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China’s cheap, open AI model DeepSeek thrills scientists
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00229-6
A Chinese-built large language model called DeepSeek-R1 is thrilling scientists as an affordable and open rival to ‘reasoning’ models such as OpenAI’s o1.
These models generate responses step-by-step, in a process analogous to human reasoning. This makes them more adept than earlier language models at solving scientific problems and could make them useful in research. Initial tests of R1, released on 20 January, show that its performance on certain tasks in chemistry, mathematics and coding is on par with that of o1 — which wowed researchers when it was released by OpenAI in September.
“This is wild and totally unexpected,” Elvis Saravia, an AI researcher and co-founder of the UK-based AI consulting firm DAIR.AI, wrote on X.
R1 stands out for another reason. DeepSeek, the start-up in Hangzhou that built the model, has released it as ‘open-weight’, meaning that researchers can study and build on the algorithm. Published under an MIT licence, the model can be freely reused but is not considered fully open source, because its training data has not been made available.
“The openness of DeepSeek is quite remarkable,” says Mario Krenn, leader of the Artificial Scientist Lab at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Erlangen, Germany. By comparison, o1 and other models built by OpenAI in San Francisco, California, including its latest effort o3 are “essentially black boxes”, he says.
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China’s AI industry has almost caught up with America’s And it is more open and more efficient, too
https://www.economist.com/briefing/2025/01/23/chinas-ai-industry-has-almost-caught-up-with-americas
The WORLD’s first “reasoning model”, an advanced form of artificial intelligence, was released in September by OpenAI, an American firm. o1, as it is called, uses a “chain of thought” to answer difficult questions in science and mathematics, breaking down problems to their constituent steps and testing various approaches to the task behind the scenes before presenting a conclusion to the user. Its unveiling set off a race to copy this method. Google came up with a reasoning model called “Gemini Flash Thinking” in December. OpenAI responded with o3, an update of o1, a few days later.
https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-engaged-higher-education-institutions-across-pakistan-discuss-artificial-intelligence
To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether Artificial Intelligence (AI) will make humanity smarter, or will we sublet our critical thinking skills?
UNESCO launched a MasterClass series in Pakistan to address some of the burning issues faced in the country to help explore solutions with the aim to create knowledge-based societies. In the efforts to promote and foster information sharing and knowledge transfer, UNESCO successfully concluded its first episode of the MasterClass Series, titled Harnessing the Era of Artificial Intelligence for a Sustainable Future. With UNESCO’s commitment to strengthening higher education of Pakistan and the strategic support from the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the webinar brought together more than 200 participants from the academia, especially faculty members and university students from more than 15 higher education institutions across Pakistan to understand Pakistan’s vision in leveraging AI for socio-economic growth. The session focused on the international global framework incorporating ethical considerations in AI, and country’s efforts in expanding AI. The webinar commenced with a context setting by Mr. Hamza Khan Swati, National Professional Officer (Communication and Information), UNESCO in Pakistan, who highlighted the growing use of AI and its impact on our lives. During the opening remarks, Mr. Antony Kar Hung Tam, Officer-in-Charge emphasized the role of shaping ethical and inclusive digital transformation surrounding AI in the world and Pakistan.
The webinar brought together two keynote experts. Mr. Gustavo Fonseca Ribeiro, working on strengthening capacities of civil servants and judiciary on AI and Digital Transformation at UNESCO, discussed AI’s potential in public sector service delivery.
Dr. Aneel Salman, Chair of the National AI Policy, Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, provided insights into Pakistan’s strategic approach to integrating AI at the national level. Dr. Salman highlighted the rapid evolution of AI technologies and their role in reshaping labor markets. Reports indicate that 44 percent of workers face skill disruptions due to AI-driven automation, making cognitive skills, creative thinking, and technology literacy crucial for future employment. Discussions also emphasized on the increasing demand for AI and big data expertise across industries such as management, media, entertainment, health, education, hospitality and information technology (IT) services.
Key takeaways from the session included the recognition of AI as a game changer for Pakistan. Participants emphasized the need for an inclusive AI policy framework, greater knowledge transfer to enhance understanding of AI ethics and international norms, and the importance of AI-driven innovation in socio-economic development.
In Pakistan, UNESCO is actively expanding efforts to facilitate multi-stakeholder collaboration in alignment with recommendations on Ethics in AI, particularly concerning fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and access to information. The organization continues to support ongoing policy interventions in AI and is working on preparing policy recommendations.
Additionally, UNESCO is committed to enhancing the education sector by building the capacities of public-school teachers to integrate AI into learning and assessment processes, promoting its ethical and effective use in classrooms in Pakistan.
UNESCO will continue this MasterClass series in Pakistan. University students, educators, and professionals interested in AI and digital transformation are encouraged to participate in future MasterClass episodes.
@NuryVittachi
There is no race between China and the US to be top player in AI development, says a new report from Nature, the world's top science journal.
The two countries are on different tracks with different endpoints. The US has been leading the pack in making big, headline-grabbing projects like ChatGPT, while China's focus has been, and remains, the production of practical AI programs that help industrialists, farmers, business people and factories.
AI programs in China are being used "to make trains run on time, monitor fish stocks and provide automated telehealth services," says the report by science writer Jacob Dreyer in the latest edition of the scientific publication.
Ultimately, China will do its usual thing, passing the systems that work to other nations, "especially to lower-income countries," the report says.
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DIFFERENT SOURCES OF SUPPORT
In the west, companies need to have innovative ideas that make an impact in the media to attract venture capitalists to invest. In contrast, China has more of an engineering school approach—projects must have practical benefit and be shown to be working to get government investment.
"The divergence in priorities reflects the forces driving innovation in each economy: venture capital in the United States and large-scale manufacturing enterprises and organs of the state in China," Dreyer says.
That doesn't mean that Chinese AI projects are always smaller. One of them is to integrate AI into a system to control the national grid so that the best use can be made of energy.
China is keen to keep its reputation as a leader in making clean energy options affordable around the world. "Its emerging AI playbook mirrors its approach to other technologies, such as electric vehicles and clean energy: not the first to innovate, but the first to make them affordable for widespread use," Dreyer writes.
The huge attention paid to DeepSeek, a relatively cheap but high performance AI chatbot, has hidden the difference in strategies, inspiring journalists to conjure up the colorful but ultimately inaccurate scenario of a US-China AI "arms race".
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STRATEGIC PLAN - FOR FARMERS
The appearance of the Nature report happily coincided with the February 20 publication of a Chinese government "strategic plan" for farmers to use scientific developments, including AI and genetic modification, to boost crop production and help the country move towards food self-sufficiency. You can't get much more practical than that.
Other recent data also bolsters the theory that Chinese AI projects may be lower profile, but have already made more inroads in business and industry.
A recent international study of usage of AI revealed that more respondents from China – 83 per cent – said their companies were using AI, than respondents from the United States – at only 65 per cent. In fact, the data in the SAS Generative AI Global Research Report shows that China was ahead of all other nations in the study in this regard (see pic).
[from fridayeveryday. com]
https://x.com/NuryVittachi/status/1894277527151284232
@Profitpk
About 8.6% of Pakistanis over the age of 25 have a bachelor's degree or higher. It is a growing number, with college graduates increasing by three times the population growth rate. What does this mean for Pakistan, especially in the age of AI? {THREAD}
https://x.com/Profitpk/status/1895013898937397564
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The state of higher education in Pakistan
How educated is the Pakistani workforce, and what is it prepared for, especially in the age of AI?
February 24, 2025
Farooq Tirmizi
By Farooq Tirmizi
https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2025/02/24/the-state-of-higher-education-in-pakistan/
The college-educated Pakistani is not yet the majority, but is rapidly becoming part of the norm.
More than half a million Pakistanis graduate from a college or university every year with at least a two-year college degree. A little more than 11% of 30-year-olds in Pakistan have at least a two-year college degree and, judging by the fact that the number of graduates is growing at three times the population growth rate, that number will likely keep on rising for every subsequent generation of 30-year-olds in the country.
So what do those statistics mean? It is by now cliché to assume that the quality of higher education in Pakistan is not good (partly true) and that while the country has a lot of raw talent, the country is not prepared for the rapid advancement of technology that will necessitate a much better trained workforce than the one we have now.
There is no denying the fact that education – both in terms of quality and quantity – is lacking in Pakistan. It is the contention of this publication, expressed through previous analytical writings, however, that the situation can be described as not ideal, but far from hopeless.
While in previous articles we have covered basic literacy and numeracy, in this piece will cover higher education, placing it in both historical context relative to where it has been in Pakistan’s own past, as well as the global context: where Pakistan stands relative to peer economies and geographic neighbours.
We will then examine a question often left unasked: exactly how well-educated does the median Pakistani need to be, given where the country is in its economic evolution? And how has the answer to that question changed with the advent of the recent, more visible, rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI)?
https://propakistani.pk/2025/03/22/pakistan-launches-its-first-homegrown-ai-chatbot-tailored-for-local-needs/
Pakistan has achieved a notable milestone in the tech sector with the beta launch of Zahanat AI, the nation’s first locally developed artificial intelligence chatbot. Spearheaded by entrepreneur Mehwish Salman Ali, co-founder and CEO of Data Vault and Zahanat AI, the platform promises to address Pakistan’s unique challenges with culturally sensitive and locally relevant solutions.
Zahanat AI is the culmination of years of development, operating from a dedicated data center in Karachi since 2022. This means that the AI model’s data stays in Pakistan for processing and doesn’t go anywhere else. This data center is connected with high-speed internet and has robust DDoS protection.
The system utilizes a mixed GPU architecture, leveraging both Nvidia GPUs and chips, initially incorporating used gaming GPUs to build its computational power. It was a relatively low-cost development project. The owners said that DeepSeek cost $5 million to make, but Zahanat AI cost less, without specifying exactly how much.
Mehwish Salman Ali said:
Our goal was to create an AI that understands and responds to the specific needs of Pakistan. Zahanat AI is trained on a massive dataset of 2 billion parameters, all processed and stored within Pakistan, ensuring cultural awareness and relevance.
A key distinguishing feature of Zahanat AI is its focus on ethical and responsible AI development. The platform is specifically trained to censor sensitive topics and avoid discussions about particular individuals.
The beta launch of Zahanat AI is currently on an invitational basis, requiring interested users to submit their email and personal details, including their profession, work email, and social media accounts. This selective access aims to gather valuable feedback and refine the platform before a wider public release.
ALSO READ
Baidu’s New AI Model “Rivals Deepseek At Half the Price”
Ali further explained:
By training Zahanat AI on Pakistan’s data, we are building a tool that can provide Pakistan-focused solutions to the diverse problems faced by our communities. We believe this technology has the potential to transform various sectors, from education and healthcare to business and governance.
For now, the beta launch has introduced Zahanat AI’s initial Z1 model, with plans to improve and expand further in the future with Z2 and so on. The Z2 model will introduce multilingual support for all languages in Pakistan and will get voice input as well.