Abdullah Kamran
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. These processes include learning, reasoning, and self-correction. AI has become increasingly important in governance and administration due to its potential to streamline operations, improve decision-making, and enhance public service delivery.
AI can analyze large amounts of data to identify trends and patterns that may not be immediately apparent to human administrators. This can help government agencies make more informed decisions and allocate resources more effectively. In addition, AI-powered systems can automate routine tasks, freeing up human resources to focus on more complex and strategic issues.
Furthermore, AI can be used to improve citizen engagement and service delivery through chatbots and virtual assistants that can provide information and support to citizens around the clock. Additionally, AI can be utilized in predictive analytics to anticipate and mitigate potential risks and challenges in governance and public administration.
Overall, AI has the potential to transform governance and administration by enhancing efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness to the needs of citizens. However, it is important to ensure that AI is deployed in a manner that is transparent, ethical, and inclusive, taking into account the potential impact on privacy, security, and equity.
The State of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Report, a comprehensive global assessment of AI readiness, recently ranked Pakistan 117 out of 172 countries. This ranking is based on various factors such as the country’s AI strategy, investment in AI research and development, and the readiness of its institutions to adopt AI technologies. In response to this ranking, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication released the first draft of Pakistan’s ‘National Artificial Intelligence Policy’ in early 2023. This draft includes ambitious National IT targets with a timeline for each grand-scale activity.
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The potential of AI and machine learning in business operations is burgeoning at an unprecedented rate in Pakistan. This transformative technology can identify unique patterns in a dataset, analyze it, and replicate key findings in various business environments. However, the current challenge lies in the limited number of institutions maintaining an updated and internally consistent database, hindering the country’s ability to fully embrace digital solutions.
The draft AI policy is a testament to the country’s commitment to AI education, with a primary focus on academia and its role in enlightening the masses about the potential of artificial intelligence. However, the exclusion of the financial sector, a global leader in AI adoption, has raised concerns about the government’s ability to lead AI-powered initiatives and its governance in the country.
Financial institutions in Pakistan are eager to embrace AI solutions for their customer-facing products. The banking sector, a vital part of the financial services industry, is keen to align with global trends in digital innovation to enhance client experiences. The potential of AI in the banking sector is vast, including the use of WhatsApp-integrated chatbots, effective risk management strategies, and tailored term finance facilities based on future market trends developed by predictive AI models.
Recently, an Islamic bank adopted this model and provided automated customer facilities leveraging the power of AI-enabled technology. To determine the current usage of AI in the country, the federal government organized a sectorial survey with key stakeholders, including the government sector, academia, financial services, IT industry, retail & commerce, manufacturing industry, healthcare, and agriculture industry. Surprisingly, financial institutions had the least number of representatives in the stakeholder survey, while academia was the most represented category.
The National AI policy draft supports the adoption of the Triple Helix Partnership concept. This approach emphasizes that academic institutions must lead the research and development efforts and play a key role in bringing artificial intelligence to the forefront of local business operations. It advises seamless knowledge transfer from universities, to the government, and lastly, to the industry. The Triple Helix Partnership concept is a collaborative model involving three key actors: academia, industry, and government. It promotes the idea that these three entities should work together to drive innovation and economic development, with each actor contributing its unique strengths and resources.
On the other hand, some argue that the policy fails to recognize the endless capabilities of AI in the context of real-world problems. AI has the potential to revolutionize various industries by solving complex problems, improving efficiency, and enhancing decision-making. Industry experts in their respective domains possess the expertise required to lead research efforts and recognize unique business processes that may benefit from AI-enabled technology. Policymakers should also recognize the dangers of slow government intervention, as it would force technology-driven institutions to venture into the new digital world without accountability or transparency.
Comparing this to Bangladesh’s approach, where the draft version of its National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence introduced a progressive and sustainable approach, Pakistan is being urged to reconsider its mass awareness programs in favor of an approach that focuses more on institutional promotion and awareness followed by sectorial strategies.
In conclusion, while Pakistan’s draft National AI Policy is a step in the right direction, it does have certain limitations and challenges. There is a need for a more inclusive approach that involves adequate stakeholder representation from the financial sector in the policy revision stages to ensure it effectively addresses the needs of all relevant industries.