ISLAMABAD:
Speakers at a moot on Friday underscored the need to bridge gaps in the national artificial intelligence (AI) roadmap through the effective implementation of the newly launched AI Policy on the country’s economy, governance and society
The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) hosted a high-profile seminar on Pakistan’s National Artificial Intelligence Policy, centred on the theme “Bridging Gaps in Pakistan’s AI Roadmap: Opportunities, Challenges and the Way Forward.”
The event brought together policymakers, academics, entrepreneurs and industry leaders to deliberate on the transformative potential of AI for Pakistan’s economic development, governance, and wider society.
The panel featured distinguished speakers including Chair of the Government of Pakistan’s AI Policy Committee Dr Anil Salman; Member Science and Technology at the Planning Commission of Pakistan Dr Najibullah; Techvention Ltd. CEO and Co-founder Suniya Shahid; and Atomcamp CEO Dr Naveed Iftikhar, who joined the discussion virtually via Zoom. The session was moderated by PIDE Research Economist Wajid Islam.
Dr Salman described the policy’s vision as bold, ethical and transformative, emphasising inclusivity across economic, social and technological dimensions. He explained that the policy had been formulated through extensive consultation with domestic and international stakeholders, including UNESCO, the Asian Development Bank and the Commonwealth. He projected that its full implementation could boost GDP by 712 per cent and generate up to one million jobs by 2030.
Dr Najibullah addressed the financial ecosystem, stressing the importance of venture capital and accelerators in bridging Pakistan’s “valley of death” when scaling start-ups. He announced the establishment of a Rs2 billion Public Venture Capital Fund and highlighted the need to engage global accelerators to support Pakistani innovators.
