Jazz and UNESCO Team Up to Champion Ethical AI Conversations in Pakistan

Jazz, working with UNESCO, recently held an important meeting called “AI for Humanity: Ethical and Inclusive AI in Pakistan.” This gathering brought together leaders from businesses, government, community groups, universities, and the media. Their goal was to talk about how Pakistan’s draft National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy would impact the country’s AI innovation scene.

This discussion is part of a bigger series of technical sessions that UNESCO is organizing. These sessions aim to break down the six main parts of the draft policy, making sure that Pakistan’s approach to AI governance is fair and respects human rights.

Ms. Fatima Akhtar, VP Corporate Communications & ESG at Jazz, welcomed everyone, stating, “The future of AI in Pakistan needs to be shaped by many different voices. We need to find a balance between new ideas and making sure everyone is included, and ensure growth comes with good management. At Jazz, we believe developing AI responsibly starts with strong ethical principles, and we’re proud to support events like this that help ensure no one is left behind as our digital world evolves.”

Dr. Aneel Salman, a Policy & Governance Expert, provided important context about Pakistan’s policy situation. He stressed how urgently ethical guidelines need to be part of national strategies. He noted, “AI won’t transform Pakistan until Pakistanis are ready to shape it. We have a huge young population, which is a big advantage. But without AI skills, it’s just untapped potential. This policy area is about turning more than 224 million people into valuable digital assets.”

Mr. Hamza Khan Swati, National Professional Officer for Communication and Information Sector at UNESCO Pakistan, highlighted UNESCO’s global work, including its recommendations on AI ethics and its tool for assessing AI readiness. These initiatives emphasize openness, human rights, and working together internationally.

The conversation focused on whether institutions are ready, the state of digital infrastructure, and the need to build skills to ensure AI is used safely and ethically. It also drew on global best practices, like UNESCO’s program on AI and the Rule of Law, and the AI Competency Framework tested under the UN Broadband Commission. The event wrapped up with key policy ideas that will be used in ongoing discussions about Pakistan’s National AI Policy. This will also strengthen teamwork among different groups to uphold human dignity and ethical standards in our digital age.