Last year, the Ministry of IT and Telecom (MoITT) launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy meant for broader consultation with key stakeholders and the public at large. Although there is some confusion in the document regarding its status, whether this was a policy document already approved and ratified or merely a 'draft' for comments, the ministry's position (later) had been that it was the latter.
AI, today, is a fast-moving target that is rapidly advancing - shifting not only its speed but also its trajectory - and this requires not just a deep knowledge of the current states, opportunities, and challenges but also an adaptive approach to policy-making. Since November 2022, when OpenAI launched ChatGPT, AI has seen a rebirth and then burgeoning of interest not just from technologists, innovators, and entrepreneurs, but also from investors, and policymakers. Last year saw record fundraising and new venture activity focused on AI - both fundamental models and their applications - with global AI-focused venture investment exceeding any other sector and even many sectors combined.
Around the world, AI has been hailed as the "new electricity" - a once-in-a-generation (or century) foundational or platform technology that affects many, many others - that will lift the entire socio-economic landscape around it. Like electricity, AI is hypothesised to improve productivity across the board, not just in a single sector, leading to a multiplier economic effect on global and national economies.
AI policies and strategies around the world
In the last few years, a number of countries have also either launched their AI policies and strategies or re-calibrated past policies to account for the massive new interest in AI. India, for instance, had an AI strategy that was announced by NITI Ayog (the Indian Planning Commission) in 2018, which lays out that country's aspirations in the realm of AI. Similar policies exist for the United Kingdom (2021), Canada (2021 and 2024), Singapore (2019 and 2023), Saudi Arabia (2020) and many many other countries. A number of these policies define a very clear and unique pathway for these countries in the realm of AI. India, for instance, aspired to be the AI factory for the developing world (remaining 40% other than OECD and China, etc.). It doesn't aspire to be the world's leading country; it aspires to be the place where problems in the developing world can be solved using AI. Similarly, the United Kingdom aspires to be not the global leader in AI but the leader in Europe. Taking advantage of stringent AI regulation, the UK thinks it can attract AI talent who want to work in a relatively more relaxed regulatory environment than the EU. There is a certain degree of realism and precision in these visions and aspirations that is refreshing, and we will discuss this shortly.
England Years: A Return To Pakistan, Better Health And MarriageLast year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a massive programme to take advantage of the global shortage of AI manpower in much the same way as it had capitalised on the shortage of manpower to deal with the Y2K bug. Working in concert with Microsoft and its Indian-origin CEO Satya Nandela, India has (once again) positioned itself as the go-to source of AI manpower for the global big tech. Singapore has also recently announced a programme to retrain its older workforce in using AI and other modern technologies, creating Masters degrees and other programmes to match older professionals (40 years) and younger people so that the former can learn from the new skillset and mindset of the latter.
Enter MoITT's proposed AI policy
GOP/MoITT's attempt to draft an AI policy earlier last year was a step in the right direction. The ministry sought feedback from stakeholders and the general public. Many, including this author and colleagues, provided their feedback. However, instead of taking that feedback, engaging stakeholders, refining, and publishing the final draft, there has been an uncomfortable silence. All this while the fast-moving AI revolution continues to gain further pace and purpose affecting lives and economies around it.
Could an AI policy work to our advantage and help Pakistan do better to position us in this fast-moving revolution? It certainly can. However, a policy is better than no policy if it sets the course correctly, aligns everyone's interests, creates the rigorous foundation on which initiatives can be built, and it is carefully designed - with appropriate resources, metrics and milestones, checks and balances - to achieve the right impact.
Before we go further, let's look at the draft policy shared by the Ministry of IT and Telecom last year to see if we would have been heading in the right direction.
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