In a significant move to govern the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday ordered the establishment of a dedicated Steering Committee, tasking it with the promotion and regulation of AI while underscoring the critical need for robust data protection and ethical guidelines.
The directive was issued during a high-level meeting focused on the advancement of AI, where the Prime Minister articulated that his administration considers progress in information technology and intelligent systems a national priority and is working decisively to fortify these sectors.
Prime Minister Sharif instructed officials to make the implementation of the digital economy more efficient and integrated through the application of AI. He also stressed the urgency for the early enforcement of a comprehensive national AI policy to create a clear developmental framework.
A key point of the premier’s instructions was ensuring the safe deployment of the technology. He emphasized that the utilization of artificial intelligence must strictly adhere to principles of data protection, data sovereignty, and ethical standards to ensure its effective and secure use.
During the session, attendees were informed that an AI Advisory Panel is also being created. This body, comprising specialists from various disciplines, will be responsible for formulating recommendations for policymaking and execution strategies.
The high-level meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Bilal bin Saqib, along with other senior officials and AI experts.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the government’s objective is to leverage artificial intelligence to stimulate economic growth. ‘We aim to harness AI to boost national development and make Pakistan’s digital economy more effective and sustainable,’ he remarked.