A recent AI Strategy Roundtable held in Karachi under the AKU TechX platform brought together Chief Information Officers and senior technology leaders from across Pakistan to engage in detailed discussions on artificial intelligence, governance, cybersecurity, and enterprise innovation. The session was hosted at Aga Khan University in collaboration with AKU ICT and focused on how organizations can collectively approach innovation while managing the evolving role of technology in business environments. The gathering served as a structured forum for knowledge sharing and collaboration, allowing participants to exchange perspectives on AI policy, implementation strategies, and governance frameworks that can support responsible adoption across industries.
The discussion highlighted the institution’s ongoing work in artificial intelligence through the presentation of its AI Policy Framework and practical strategy insights. The program was emceed by Neha Allar and opened with remarks from Professor Stephen Lyon, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and Muhammad Fahd, Regional Director of ICT Pakistan, Afghanistan and the UK. They were joined by Azhar Nawaz, Group CDIO of Fauji Fertilizer Company, who welcomed members of the CIO Executive Network and emphasized the importance of collaboration among technology leaders. The session reflected a shared focus on aligning governance structures with emerging AI capabilities while ensuring that organizations are prepared for structured and secure adoption of new technologies.
Technical and strategic insights were further presented by Dr. Zainab Samad, Chair of the Department of Medicine, who outlined AKU’s progress in data science and artificial intelligence initiatives. This was followed by Shumail Usmani, Director of Global Data Management Office, who discussed approaches to scaling AI initiatives across institutional and operational frameworks. A thematic presentation by Ambassador Jameel Ahmed Khan titled “Growing Gracefully After 65 with AI” added a broader perspective on the role of artificial intelligence in societal and institutional development. Participants also engaged in a structured workshop designed to identify priorities and recommendations for AI adoption in Pakistan, reflecting a collective effort to shape practical and actionable strategies.
The roundtable concluded with remarks from Dr. Farhat Abbas, CEO of Aga Khan University Health System Pakistan, who highlighted the importance of implementing AI based solutions to improve healthcare delivery systems. Shaukat Ali Khan FBCS emphasized collective innovation and encouraged leveraging data driven solutions while scaling what was described as the “Best of Pakistan to the Rest of Pakistan.” The session also brought together a wide group of CIOs and technology leaders including Syed Asif Shah, Ijlal Jafri, Waseem Rasheed, Syed Arif Hussain, Mudasser Farooq Mian, Zaid Umer Farooqui, Atif Najam, Badruz Zaman Khan, Omair Bokhari, Tabasum Abid, Noor us Samad, Raza Abbas, Syed Faraz J., Arshad Manzoor, Rabia Saleem, Bilal Javeri, Uzair Baig, Razi ur Rahman Farooqui, Khawaja Khurram, Faisal Amir, Aamir Jameel, Muhammad Tayyab Khan, Sadia Tabassum, Shoaib Qureshi, Saima Naveed, Shakeel Akhter, Zameer Abbas, Saflain Haider, and Mohammad Munaf. The engagement reflected a shared commitment to advancing AI governance, strengthening collaboration among leaders, and building a more coordinated technology ecosystem in Pakistan.
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