Artificial Intelligence in Pakistan is rapidly transforming society, economy, and the workplace. The country now ranks among the top five global users of AI tools, raising both excitement and concerns about the future.
A survey conducted by the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society placed Pakistan fourth in a study covering 21 countries. The findings reveal that Pakistanis are embracing AI applications faster than many other nations. This surge in adoption is fueling optimism but also triggering debates on ethics, policy, and jobs.
According to the report, India leads with 43% of its people holding a very positive view of AI. Kenya follows at 29%, Brazil at 27%, and Pakistan at 26%. In Pakistan, 39% of respondents described AI tools as fairly positive, while 22% remained neutral. On the other side, 8% expressed fairly negative views, and 5% held an extremely negative opinion.
Experts explain that emerging economies such as Pakistan see Artificial Intelligence as a path to jobs, growth, and improved services. However, industry professionals warn about risks. The rise of automation is already affecting IT and service sectors, and many fear that heavy reliance on AI weakens critical thinking.
In contrast, advanced nations like the United States, France, and Australia report higher levels of skepticism. The study shows that 34% of Americans expressed fairly or very negative views of AI. Analysts link this distrust to political divides, fears of misinformation, and job losses in white-collar industries.
Artificial Intelligence in Pakistan is not just about usage. The country has created its own local chatbot, Zahanat AI, designed for native languages. The growing interest was also highlighted at a UNESCO dialogue titled “AI for Humanity: Ethical and Inclusive AI in Pakistan.” The event gathered more than 25 stakeholders from academia, civil society, private companies, and technology institutions. They discussed the national AI policy and the country’s innovation ecosystem.
Mehwish Salman Ali, co-founder of Zahanat AI, stressed the importance of ethical and inclusive AI for Pakistan’s digital future. She pointed out that empowering citizens with AI skills is vital to unlock the nation’s demographic strength. Without digital readiness, she warned, Pakistan’s 224 million people risk staying untapped assets.
At the CIO Global 200 Summit, Umair Azam, CEO of Integration Xperts, shared similar concerns. He admitted that AI improves efficiency but warned that careless use damages credibility and erodes workers’ thinking abilities. He recommended appointing “AI champions” within organizations and urged the government to enforce strong policy guidelines.
With more than 146 million broadband users, Pakistan has immense potential for Artificial Intelligence growth. Yet, challenges remain. A P@SHA survey showed that companies are already cutting hiring in areas where AI replaces human labor. This trend raises fears about long-term impacts on jobs, skills, and social stability.
