UNESCO, in collaboration with Data Vault, recently hosted a
multi-stakeholder dialogue titled “AI for Humanity: Ethical and
Inclusive AI in Pakistan” in Islamabad, bringing together more than 25
key actors from the private-sector, technology driven institutions,
civil society, and academia to discuss AI Innovation Ecosystem under
Pakistan’s National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy perspective.
The dialogue is part of a broader series of technical engagements
facilitated by UNESCO to unpack the six strategic pillars of the
National AI policy and ensure an inclusive, rights-based approach to
AI governance in Pakistan.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Fuad Pashayev, Country Representative,
UNESCO Office in Pakistan stated, “The envisioned AI Council can
become a key institutional structure embedding human rights and
ethical safeguards into Pakistan’s AI ecosystem and ensuring inclusive
and coordinated governance.”
Dr. Aneel Salman, Policy & Governance Expert, provided critical
context around Pakistan’s policy landscape, emphasizing the urgency of
embedding ethical frameworks within national strategies. He mentioned
that “AI will not transform Pakistan until Pakistanis are ready to
shape it. We are sitting on a demographic goldmine. But without AI
skills, it’s just potential. This pillar is how we turn more than 224
million people into a million digital assets.”
In her welcome remarks, Ms. Mehwish Salman Ali, Founder and CEO of
Data Vault – Nation’s first AI-enabled Data Center and Co-Founder of
Zahanat AI – Pakistan’s indigenous GPT stated, “Ethical and inclusive
AI is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s digital future. By prioritizing
human rights and equitable access to skills, data, and compute – we
can shape an AI ecosystem that empowers every citizen and delivers
sustainable progress.”
The discussion focused on institutional preparedness, digital
infrastructure, and the need for capacity-building to ensure the safe
and ethical deployment of AI. It also drew on the global best
practices such as UNESCO’s capacity-building Programme and the AI
Competency Framework piloted under the UN Broadband Commission.
The event concluded with key insights that will feed into the ongoing
consultations on Pakistan’s National AI Policy and strengthen
collaboration between stakeholders to uphold human dignity and ethical
standards in the digital era.
