UNESCO, in partnership with Jazz, convened a national dialogue titled “AI for Humanity: Ethical and Inclusive AI in Pakistan,” bringing together key voices from across government institutions, academia, media, civil society, and the tech industry. The session created a collaborative space to reflect on Pakistan’s evolving approach to artificial intelligence, especially in the context of the country’s draft National AI Policy. Participants explored how ethical and inclusive frameworks can shape the governance of AI technologies in Pakistan in alignment with both local needs and global standards.
Fatima Akhtar from Jazz underscored the importance of collective ownership in AI development, highlighting that the future of AI should be driven by diverse voices representing different sectors and communities. She noted that inclusive participation is essential to ensure AI solutions are not only technologically sound but socially relevant. The role of private sector leadership in contributing to ethical innovation was also emphasized.
Dr. Aneel Salman focused on the societal readiness needed to harness AI’s potential in Pakistan. He argued that technological transformation alone is not sufficient unless citizens are equipped with the skills and awareness to meaningfully shape and use these tools. He highlighted the importance of preparing educational and public institutions to actively participate in the AI ecosystem and to ensure that the benefits of these technologies reach a broad population base.
Hamza Khan Swati from UNESCO added a global perspective to the discussion, referencing established international frameworks such as the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI and the Readiness Assessment Methodology. These guidelines were developed to promote human rights, transparency, and accountability in AI systems. Swati also mentioned UNESCO’s AI and Rule of Law programme, which supports countries in developing regulatory frameworks that respect democratic values and legal protections.
The dialogue emphasized several strategic areas critical for Pakistan’s AI policy development, including institutional capacity-building, data governance, public awareness, and regulatory transparency. These areas are being examined in light of lessons from international best practices while ensuring that local socio-political contexts are considered.
Participants also explored how AI can be a force for inclusion when developed with ethical principles in mind. The discussions pointed toward a national vision of AI that prioritizes equity and justice, ensuring that vulnerable groups are not left behind in the digital transformation process. The session helped surface concerns about data access, algorithmic bias, and the need for systems that can be trusted by the public.
This multi-sectoral dialogue will feed into ongoing consultations and serve as a reference point for policymakers as they refine Pakistan’s National AI Policy. With contributions from multiple stakeholders, the session helped shape a shared understanding of the responsibilities involved in building ethical, inclusive, and sustainable AI ecosystems.
