HUMANITY has been creating tools and machines for its help in work and comfort at home in every age and as such every innovation from wheel to atomic energy brought revolution in the world. For example the technologies like Internet and mobile phones revolutionised our life style at a much larger scale. But the artificial intelligence as a technology is taking the humanity by storm in creating a world where human beings will just relax and all the work will be performed by the robots based on artificial intelligence.
Artificial intelligence is creating a transformative revolution around the globe and Pakistan is no exception. Though in its nascent stage, AI in Pakistan has the potential to reshape our key sectors and enhance the socio-economic status of our people. Right now, AI is deployed for automated diagnostics and telemedicine facilities. AI is helping us in education through adaptive learning and virtual classrooms. The agriculture sector is feeling its impact regarding, precision farming and crop monitoring to boost up productivity. Even the financial institutions are introducing smart lending and fraud detection protocols to serve the right customer by analysing the individual needs. Maximum of youth is now engaged in ecommerce successfully because of the artificial intelligence and earning good money through the artificial intelligence tools.
But there is flip side to this technology as well, especially in a country like Pakistan, where a huge population of 25 crores is going to absorb its effect in the sense that when all is to be done by the machine what would human hands do, other than getting frustrated because of joblessness. A few signs are already visible while the country is undergoing digitalisation and automation processes that many are feeling threatened of joblessness, be they white or the blue collars ones. On the other hand, the advocates of this technology claim that only life style of human beings would alter to quicker, easier and with a sharpness of precision.
In Pakistan, a large number of young and old are already using tools of AI to make their work easy and much faster and to earn money. But there are two significant factors about the whole affair. First it is about to cause a digital divide at the internal as well as external level. Pakistani city dwellers may have an access to the new technology but the 70 percent population of rural areas does not have power to buy the gadgets necessary to benefit from artificial intelligence. And same is the case with the internet-based services. The mobile phone is the only device that has reached to the people everywhere.
Second significant aspect is the socio-political divide because the rich and the powerful will have control over this technology to raise their profits further and leave behind a larger chunk of population jobless to become even poorer. The society is going to experience the haves and have-nots of this technology. Only those would be able to cope with the next brave new world who would learn and train to use, maintain and benefit from this technology.
The poverty and mismanagement in Pakistan ill affords an equal opportunity for all. But what least can be done is the mass trainings and awareness campaigns in each and every department about the deployment of artificial intelligence. While automation procedures are in progress, the workers of the respective departments should be given comprehensive training to enhance the quality and the speed of their productivity instead of removing them from jobs. While artificial intelligence is going to wipe a large variety of traditional jobs, the planners must complete their homework about the next coming economy and the role of the individuals in it.
There’s no walking away or turning back from the impact of AI. So, we need a comprehensive policy statement to set our priorities to achieve long-term goals and leverage AI tools clear headed. More sources may be pooled up through public private partnership to be invested in the requisite infrastructure. Education curricula and teaching methodologies must undergo a revolution to equip our youths with the requisite skills. Collaboration with the developed nation and engaging them in education sector can make future skill-based and well-equipped workforce. Our neighbouring nations are already making significant strides in computer science, digitalization, the tech industry and computer-based commerce. Moreover, the pace of innovation in AI is surpassing its own advancements with each passing moment. All this calls for immediate action rather than waiting to be acted upon. Pakistan can achieve a competitive edge and secure a strong position on the global AI landscape if an effective plan is implemented to successfully lead its people into the 21st-century AI revolution.
—The writer is a Professor of English at Emerson University, Multan, and has a vast international exposure.
(zeadogar@hotmail.com)
