Tariq Mahmood Awan
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a topic of great discussion in the Pakistani civil service corridors. Administrations worldwide are incorporating AI operations to enhance their productivity and efficiency. AI assists human administrative structures in various aspects such as communication, data management, operational plans, administrative accountability, and developing administrative and productive standards.
Recently, I listened to the leaders of Singapore emphasise the importance of AI in public operations. They highlighted how AI has helped the world achieve its goals and become more efficient. Therefore, AI will play a pivotal role in Singapore’s public administration. This is the level of preparedness among the different countries of the world. Therefore, Pakistan must also adopt AI operations in the public sector to enhance productivity and efficiency.
If Pakistan does not adopt AI’s demands, the administration will become uncompetitive and remain far behind. Therefore, it is imperative to legislate AI operations into administrative law and develop administration according to sophisticated AI technology. Doing so can ensure that we are included in the race to become more productive and efficient.
If we fail to adopt AI operations in our administrative structures, the widening gap between Pakistan and the rest of the world will become unbridged. Keeping up with the latest technological advancements is essential to remain relevant. Therefore, we must take the necessary steps to incorporate AI operations into our administrative structures. Furthermore, incorporating AI operations in the public sector will enhance productivity and efficiency. Still, it will also help in bridging the gap between Pakistan and the rest of the world. Therefore, we must take the necessary steps to legislate AI operations into Admin law and develop administration according to AI sophisticated technology.
The lack of acknowledgement of advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) is deeply concerning, particularly generative AI and the potential of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), by policymakers crafting economic plans. Such an approach can result in flawed and ineffective systems, indicating a leadership that is disconnected from the realities of our rapidly evolving world. For future planning, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of the present and to actively embrace the AI revolution.
Policymakers must prepare their nations for the challenges and opportunities that AI presents. This requires fostering an environment for AI research and development, investing in human capital to leverage AI effectively, and developing ethical frameworks to guide this critical technology. Those who can adapt and lead in the age of AI are the ones who will succeed, and the alternative is to be left behind in a world irrevocably reshaped by these powerful tools. The potential benefits of AI in economic, administrative and structural planning are immense, offering a path to prosperity and innovation that is unparalleled in human history. Imagine a world where economic planning is efficient, personalised, supersonalisednd, and inclusive. This is the world that AI can help us build.
Pakistan must learn from the developed world’s experience with AI. Technology transfer is critical. Higher education standards in Pakistan must improve, often hindering technological and scientific development. Our universities cannot develop research standards, so our private and public sectors need more qualitative human resources. Therefore, investment in the education sector is critical, especially in higher education.
Traditional planning methodologies are inadequate for our current era, with the 4F—Science, Technology, Globalization, and Brainpower Development—reshaping the world at a staggering pace. Generative AI represents a paradigm shift far beyond chatbots and autopilot systems, potentially revolutionising our existence. What is the difference between the systems now? It’s the technology but relatively superior technology. If Pakistan does not adopt the technological revolution, it will not be able to compete with the world in all realms of state life.
Generative AI tools possess the potential to generate millions of software engineers in record time. Countries with strong AI capabilities will be best positioned to capitalise on AI capabilities, leading to economic transformation, new industries and jobs, and democratisation. Democratisation of AI can also personalise public services, inform decision-making, and shift power dynamics, leading to enhanced public services, more informed policy decisions, and a shift in global power dynamics.
AI can also analyse vast environmental datasets, optimise research and conservation, and combat climate change. AI could assist in efficiently exploring and utilising, breaking down language barriers, personalising, depersonalising, and transforming developing nations’ economic, social, and political landscapes.
However, challenges remain, including job displacement, ethical considerations, and equitable access to the Internet and the infrastructure to support AI. Policymakers must consider these challenges and establish ethical frameworks to prevent bias and ensure the responsible development and deployment of AI.
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is a technology that has the potential to create a world far beyond our wildest dreams. The timeline for AGI’s arrival remains uncertain, but the world will be irrevocably transformed. Human civilisation itself may be fundamentally altered. The systems built on inequality will crumble as these technologies democratise oppo democratise income. Policymakers have a crucial role in ensuring this potential is realised by establishing the necessary regulations and infrastructure to ensure equitable access to AI. This is not just about embracing a new technology, but about shaping a future where everyone has a fair chance to benefit from it.
Leaders must urgently embrace the coming AI revolution, fostering research and development, preparing workforces to collaborate with intelligent machines, and establishing ethical frameworks to guide this powerful technology. The time for action is now. Education and reskilling, Universal Reasonable Income (URI), and regulation and ethics are some critical considerations for policymakers. By proactively preparing and embracing these advancements, we can ensure a smoother transition towards a world transformed by intelligent machines, a world where opportunity and prosperity are not reserved for the privileged few. The longer we wait, the more we risk being left behind in a world that has moved on without us.
Therefore, Pakistan must implement the AI standards and demands through effective legislation and delegated legislation to the administrative systems covering all spheres of national life, from the economy to public administration. This will be the accurate response to the challenge thrown to the world by the rise of artificial intelligence.
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