Future of AI in Pakistan: Challenges and Way Forward
Introduction:
In examining Pakistan's technological landscape, a salient pattern emerges. We predominantly
wear the hat of a consumer, often importing and adapting pre-existing technological solutions
rather than innovating or pioneering them from the ground up. This trend, while not singular
to Pakistan, has significant implications for the nation's positioning on the global tech stage.
The emphasis on building applications based on pre-existing technologies, though pragmatic,
has meant that Pakistan tends to be a step behind in the global innovation cycle. By the time
we adapt and master a technology, the world often moves on to the next big thing. This reactive
approach can limit our potential, both in terms of economic benefits and global
competitiveness.
However, the silver lining, and perhaps our most potent asset, is our demographic dividend.
With a staggering 60% of our population aged between 15-35 years, Pakistan boasts one of the
youngest populations globally. This youth bulge, if steered correctly, can transform the
country's tech trajectory.
Challenges and Suggestions:
In the context of Pakistan's aspirations in the realm of AI, it's imperative to understand the
challenges that hinder its adoption, acceleration, and eventual success. This understanding is
not only key to devising actionable solutions but also crucial in framing the nation's strategy in
the broader AI race.
1. Supply and Demand Imbalance:
The crux of many developmental challenges lies in the imbalance between what's
required (demand) and what's available (supply). Whether it's healthcare, education, or
even e-commerce, many sectors in Pakistan experience this mismatch.
• Why it Matters: Addressing this imbalance isn't merely a matter of ensuring
that services meet demands. It's about identifying areas where AI can be the
catalyst for transformation. For instance, in healthcare, where there might be a
shortage of doctors in rural areas, AI-driven telemedicine solutions can bridge
the gap.
• Solution Pathway: By conducting thorough demand-supply assessments
across sectors and subsequently spotlighting these disparities, policymakers and
stakeholders can more effectively target AI interventions. This will not only
solve immediate challenges but can also act as a blueprint for foreign investors
and technologists interested in the Pakistani market.
2. Sectoral Focus for AI Impact:
While AI has broad applications, given limited resources, it's strategic to prioritize
sectors where AI can drive the most impact in terms of economic growth and societal
benefit.
• Why it Matters: By concentrating efforts on one or two sectors initially, not
only are resources used more efficiently, but success in these sectors can serve
as a beacon for other areas. It also allows for a more concentrated effort in data
collection and model training specific to that sector.
•
Solution Pathway: Stakeholder dialogues, pilot projects, and feasibility studies
can help identify these priority sectors. Whether it's agriculture, for productivity
enhancement, crop disease prediction and lending to farmers, or manufacturing,
for optimizing production processes, the focus should be on immediate impact
and scalability.
3. Resource Constraints:
AI, while powerful, requires substantial foundational support, notably in terms of
computing power and data.
• Why it Matters: Without adequate computational resources, developing or
even fine-tuning advanced AI models becomes challenging. Additionally, AI's
strength comes from data; models are only as good as the data they are trained
on. Pakistan's lack of comprehensive, clean, and accessible datasets can hamper
the effectiveness of AI solutions.
• Solution Pathway: Collaborations with global tech companies can alleviate
some of the computational constraints. For data, a national initiative to create
comprehensive datasets, perhaps through public-private partnerships, can be
invaluable. We can build a Kaggle1 like platform for Pakistani data collection,
cleaning/annotation and model training platform backed with essential compute
resource. Furthermore, regulations ensuring data privacy and security will be
crucial in building trust and promoting data-sharing.
4. Need for a Local AI Accelerator:
The AI landscape worldwide is rapidly evolving, with innovations emanating not just
from established tech giants but also from nimble startups and independent researchers.
As Pakistan seeks to carve its niche in this realm, there is an evident requirement for
robust local infrastructure that can accelerate AI endeavours, particularly for emerging
innovators.
• Why it Matters:
o Empowering Local Talent: Pakistan, with its youthful population,
harbors an untapped reservoir of potential innovators, thinkers, and
entrepreneurs. However, without the right platforms, this talent may
remain latent or seek opportunities abroad, leading to a brain drain.
o End-to-End Support: From ideation to commercialization, AI ventures
entail various challenges. These include refining the proof-of-concept,
securing initial funding, navigating the market landscape, and scaling
solutions. An AI Accelerator can provide holistic support across this
spectrum, mitigating risks and bolstering success rates.
o Economic Multiplier Effect: Successful AI startups can have a domino
effect on the economy, creating jobs, attracting foreign investment, and
promoting tech-driven economic growth.
• Solution Pathway:
o Incubator Funds: Establishing dedicated funds to support AI startups
in their infancy stages is paramount. These funds can assist in prototype
development, market research, and initial operational costs, ensuring
that promising ideas aren't thwarted by financial constraints.
o Mentorship: Building AI solutions isn't solely about technical prowess;
it's also about understanding market dynamics, user needs, and business
1
https://www.kaggle.com
strategies. By roping in seasoned entrepreneurs, tech veterans, and
industry experts, a mentorship program can provide startups with
invaluable guidance, preventing common pitfalls and refining their
trajectory.
o Shared Knowledge Repository: One of the accelerator's cornerstones
should be the democratization of knowledge. Whether it's through
workshops, webinars, or publications, sharing insights on the latest AI
trends, successful case studies, and even failure analyses can fast-track
learning for the entire ecosystem.
o Collaborations & Networking: The accelerator should foster ties with
universities, tech companies, and international AI communities. These
partnerships can provide avenues for technology transfer, research
collaborations, and even market access for startups.
Recommendation:
A phased approach might be ideal:
•
•
•
Short-Term (1-3 years): Focus primarily on applications using existing models. This
can yield quick wins and showcase the potential of AI to stakeholders.
Medium-Term (3-5 years): Begin investing in data, research and development for
model creation, possibly in partnership with global institutions and tech companies.
Long-Term (5+ years): Aim for a balanced mix, with a robust AI ecosystem that caters
to both foundational AI research and application development.
Remember, the journey in AI is iterative. Starting with applications doesn't preclude moving
into foundational research later on. It's all about setting priorities based on current resources,
needs, and long-term vision.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, it is evident that the potential of AI for Pakistan is immense, yet the journey
ahead is intricate. In a rapidly evolving world, our focus should not merely be on catching up
but on carving out our own niche. Our rich cultural and linguistic diversity, coupled with a
young and vibrant population, offers a unique canvas upon which the AI story for Pakistan can
unfold.
While the allure of foundational AI research is undeniable, our immediate goal should be
harnessing AI's power to address our pressing challenges - from healthcare to education. By
leveraging existing models and fine-tuning them for our context, we can realize quick,
impactful wins. Concurrently, laying down the foundation for indigenous AI model
development will pave the way for sustainable growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.
As we step into the AI era, collaboration is key. Public-private partnerships, academia-industry
collaborations, and international alliances will be the linchpins of our success. Let's ensure that
our AI journey, while rooted in global best practices, remains uniquely Pakistani in its essence,
addressing our challenges and amplifying our opportunities.
-
------------------If we look at the technology landscape of Pakistan, we realize that we are the
consumers of technology rather than on the supply or research side of it. We build
applications on the technology that is already there to solve various problems.
Pakistan has a huge potential for growth in AI sector as 60% of the Pakistani
population is between 15-35 years of age. We can harness this power as this youth is
Digital Native (This age group is essentially a cohort of digital natives, having grown up in
the age of the internet, smartphones, and rapid technological advancements. Their innate
tech-savviness can be harnessed to leapfrog traditional developmental stages.), Flexibility to
Learn (Young minds are adaptable, making them ideal candidates for upskilling and reskilling
in emerging fields like AI. They can quickly pivot in response to the ever-evolving tech
landscape. Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Young individuals tend to be more
entrepreneurial and risk-taking. Encouraging tech startups and innovation hubs can tap into
this energy, positioning Pakistan not just as a consumer but also as a creator in the tech
realm. Critical Mass for Research (With a substantial young population, Pakistan has the
potential to boost its research capabilities. By investing in research institutions and forging
international collaborations, the country can transition from merely using tech tools to
contributing to their foundational development.)
To harness this potential, a multipronged approach is needed. Prioritizing STEM education,
fostering a startup ecosystem, facilitating access to capital, and creating mentorship
programs are just some of the avenues to explore.
In conclusion, while Pakistan's current stance as a tech consumer is rooted in its historical
trajectory, the burgeoning youth population offers an unprecedented opportunity. By
strategically investing in this demographic and recalibrating our tech focus, Pakistan can
pivot from being a mere player to a formidable contender in the global AI and tech arena.
Major challenges faced in adoption, acceleration and success of AI in Pakistan are:
1. Supply and demand imbalance: There is an existing demand and supply imbalance
within the application domains of Pakistan. By failing to address this issue, we usually
overlook a crucial aspect that demonstrates the necessity of AI as an intervention to
alleviate the imbalance. Providing a clear contrast between the demand for services
or solutions and the current supply limitations will help underscore the significance
of AI in bridging this gap and promoting sustainable growth in those sectors.
2. Selection of one or two sectors where AI intervention will make an impact with
respect to economic growth and performance.
3. Lack of resources in terms of compute power, data for training models.
4. Need for a local AI Accelerator: As time progresses, the scope of AI activities will
expand to encompass larger programs, ranging from funding support for proof-ofconcepts to the establishment of a startup. This requires a Local AI Accelerator
program that will actively foster the development of an AI startup and product
development ecosystem through the incubator funds, mentoring, and publication of
shared knowledge.
5. --6.
7. In essence, a Local AI Accelerator isn't just an infrastructure element; it's a testament
to the nation's commitment to AI-driven progress. As Pakistan looks to the future,
such an accelerator can be the crucible where innovation, vision, and strategy
converge, birthing solutions that resonate both locally and globally.
8.
9. To navigate these challenges, a national AI strategy anchored in collaboration,
foresight, and innovation is crucial. The roadmap might be intricate, but with
concerted efforts, Pakistan has the potential to harness AI's power for a brighter,
more prosperous future.