Islamabad: A report by Oxford Insights, a UK-based think tank, has ranked Pakistan 8th out of 17 countries in South and Central Asia for its readiness to implement artificial intelligence (AI) in public services, trailing behind nations like India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
According to Deutsche Welle, Pakistan's AI policy, drafted in 2021, has faced criticism from Data Darbar, an NGO focused on the country's tech industry, which highlighted the policy's lack of comprehensive application across various sectors.
Natasha Uderani, co-founder of Data Darbar, emphasized the need for a stronger national AI strategy and more investment in AI-focused education. She highlighted the risks associated with AI tools, particularly their potential to escalate polarization through the creation of fake news and propaganda. Uderani pointed out the disproportionate impact of these tools on countries in the Global South, which often lack a role in their design or governance.
An investigation by the Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) revealed a network of deceptive YouTube channels producing misleading content using generative AI. One such channel, Pak Gov Update, has been noted for its misleading use of official-sounding names and AI-generated visuals. The DRF report questions YouTube's policies on monetizing such content, as channels like Pak Gov Update continue to flourish.
Despite these challenges, AI tools have opened up economic opportunities for individuals like Zubair, a 20-year-old entrepreneur from Karachi. Zubair has successfully leveraged AI to create high-quality content more efficiently, significantly increasing his income and expanding his business. His experience illustrates the potential for AI to facilitate economic growth and skill development.
YouTube has responded to the proliferation of AI-generated content by updating its monetization policies, aiming to curb the revenue generation from inauthentic content. However, critics argue that these changes may not sufficiently address the issue, and the impact on demonetizing such content in Pakistan may be limited.
In the face of these challenges, creative content owners in Pakistan are investing in AI upskilling and innovation. Abrar ul-Hassan, founder of Morango Films, has begun incorporating AI skills into his production house. He advocates for responsible AI use, highlighting the importance of ethical considerations in AI development.
The French Development Agency recently classified Pakistan as a "mid-level performer" in AI, noting moderate advancements in infrastructure and human capital readiness. However, Yasar Ayaz, chairman of Pakistan's National Center of Artificial Intelligence (NCAI), identified investment as a critical barrier to AI development in the country. Ayaz suggested that an initial investment in AI technology could enhance Pakistan's attractiveness to foreign investors by highlighting its potential to export AI solutions to other low-income countries.