KARACHI: Pakistan has emerged as one of the world’s leading adopters of Artificial Intelligence (AI), ranking fourth globally in AI tool usage, according to a survey by the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society. The rapid embrace of this technology is transforming the country’s economy and workplaces, but it is also sparking urgent calls for ethical policies and safeguards.
The study, covering 21 countries, shows Pakistanis are largely optimistic about AI. Around 26% of respondents described their view as “very positive,” while 39% were “fairly positive.” Only 13% expressed negative sentiments. India, Kenya, and Brazil were the only countries with higher positive ratings than Pakistan.
Experts say emerging economies like Pakistan view AI as a gateway to job creation, economic growth, and improved public services. However, they caution that overreliance on AI risks displacing traditional jobs and weakening critical thinking skills. Umair Azam, CEO of Integration Xperts, warned at the CIO Global 200 Summit that “AI may boost efficiency, but misuse can erode credibility and independent thinking.”
Pakistan’s AI journey is not limited to usage it has also developed its own indigenous chatbot, Zahanat AI, available in local languages. Co-Founder Mehwish Salman Ali emphasized the importance of equipping citizens with AI skills, stressing that without digital readiness, Pakistan’s 224 million people could remain “untapped assets.”
At a recent UNESCO dialogue titled “AI for Humanity: Ethical and Inclusive AI in Pakistan”, over 25 stakeholders from academia, civil society, private industry, and government gathered to shape the National AI Policy. The consensus: ethical and inclusive AI is vital to Pakistan’s digital future.
With over 146 million broadband users, the country has vast potential to expand its AI footprint. Yet, a survey by P@SHA reveals that many companies are already cutting down on hiring as automation takes over certain roles, raising alarms about job security, skills development, and long-term social impacts.
In contrast, advanced economies like the US, France, and Australia show deeper scepticism about AI. In the US, 34% of respondents reported fairly or very negative views concerns tied to misinformation, political divides, and white-collar job threats.
While Pakistanis remain hopeful about AI’s promise, experts stress that strong policy frameworks and “AI champions” are urgently needed to balance innovation with responsibility.
