TLDR: The National School of Public Policy (NSPP) and UNESCO have jointly hosted a crucial multi-stakeholder dialogue in Lahore, focusing on the ethical and inclusive development of Artificial Intelligence in Pakistan. The event aimed to refine the nation’s draft AI policy, emphasizing public awareness, institutional readiness, and a human-centered approach to AI governance.
LAHORE, Pakistan – In a significant stride towards fostering responsible technological advancement, the National School of Public Policy (NSPP), in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), convened a multi-stakeholder dialogue titled ‘AI for Humanity: Ethical and Inclusive AI in Pakistan’ on July 9, 2025. Held in Lahore, the high-level discussion brought together a diverse group of representatives from the public sector, civil society, academia, and media to deliberate on Pakistan’s nascent National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy.
The dialogue is a pivotal part of UNESCO’s broader series of technical engagements designed to thoroughly examine the five strategic pillars of Pakistan’s draft AI policy. These pillars include the AI Innovation Ecosystem, Awareness & Readiness, Secure AI Ecosystem, Transformation & Evolution, and International Cooperation and Collaboration. The overarching goal is to ensure the development of an inclusive, rights-based framework for AI governance within the country.
Dr. Naveed Elahi, Dean of the National Institute of Public Policy, underscored the timely importance of the dialogue. He remarked that while AI adoption in Pakistan’s public sector is still in its early stages, such multi-stakeholder discussions are indispensable for shaping an AI ecosystem that respects cultural sensitivities and robustly safeguards fundamental rights.
Adding a critical perspective, Dr. Aneel Salman, a renowned Policy and Governance Expert, emphasized the urgent need to embed ethical considerations deeply within national AI strategies. Dr. Salman delivered a compelling statement, asserting, ‘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.’ His remarks highlighted the imperative of skill development and readiness among the populace to truly harness AI’s potential.
Mr. Hamza Khan Swati, National Professional Officer for the Communication and Information Sector at UNESCO Pakistan, elaborated on the relevance of UNESCO’s global normative work. He specifically cited the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI and the Readiness Assessment Methodology for AI, both of which champion transparency, human rights, and international cooperation in AI development.
Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Syed Waqar ul Qounain Jaffry, Chairman of the Department of Information Technology and Director of the National Centre of Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) at the University of the Punjab, contributed insights on elevating AI research standards in Pakistan. He advocated for a systemic, multi-dimensional strategy to align Pakistani AI theses and academic research with global best practices, emphasizing faculty training, structured supervision, international collaborations, open-access data sharing, alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and national policy incentives for impactful research.
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The discussions during the dialogue focused on crucial aspects such as institutional preparedness, digital infrastructure, and the necessity for extensive capacity-building to ensure the safe, ethical, and equitable deployment of AI technologies across Pakistan. The insights garnered from this event are expected to significantly contribute to the ongoing consultations for Pakistan’s National AI Policy, reinforcing collaborative efforts among stakeholders to uphold human dignity and ethical standards in the rapidly evolving digital era.
