Losing talent to AI

Pakistan is at a crucial juncture, facing both a growing brain drain and the global impact of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven job displacement. While AI transforms industries and automates jobs, some nations are turning to universal basic income (UBI) as a safety net. Geoffrey Hinton, the “godfather of AI”, has warned that without such measures, AI could deepen inequality, benefiting only the wealthy. Unfortunately, despite its efforts, Pakistan has yet to adopt economic security strategies like UBI, and its slow adoption of AI threatens to unravel its economic and social fabric. The global AI revolution demands that Pakistan urgently integrate AI across key sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and energy. AI can boost productivity and unlock economic potential, but international collaboration and tech exports are also crucial for positioning Pakistan in the global arena. Reskilling the workforce is equally essential.