As artificial intelligence (AI) advances rapidly, the focus is shifting from which countries can develop the most powerful models to which can use the technology most effectively to drive economic and social development.
Unlike earlier technological revolutions, AI is reaching developing countries almost simultaneously with advanced economies. Research by economists Diego Comin and Bart Hobijn has shown that technologies such as steam power, electricity and the internet took decades to spread globally. AI, however, has dramatically shortened that adoption gap.
Research on ChatGPT usage by OpenAI has also indicated that adoption is growing rapidly in low- and middle-income countries, giving countries such as Pakistan an opportunity to use AI without waiting decades to catch up technologically.
For Pakistan, the opportunity lies less in competing for global leadership in AI computing and more in applying the technology across sectors including education, healthcare, agriculture, industry and public services.
Despite economic pressures, energy constraints and the overseas migration of skilled workers, Pakistan has developed a growing technology sector. Companies such as Systems Limited have expanded internationally, while IT and IT-enabled services exports reached around $3.8 billion in the first 10 months of FY26. Freelancer earnings are also expected to approach $1bn.
The country is also developing its digital infrastructure. The launch of Sky47, described as Pakistan’s first AI factory, represents an initial step towards developing domestic AI computing capacity, alongside continued investment in connectivity and cloud infrastructure.
Pakistan’s young population provides another advantage. More than 60 per cent of the country’s population of around 250 million is under 30, with hundreds of thousands of graduates entering the workforce every year, many with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering and computing.
The country’s expanding digital infrastructure, including connectivity, digital payments and digital identity systems, could provide the foundation for wider AI adoption.
Local conditions could also help Pakistan develop AI applications suited to its own needs. Healthcare, education, agriculture, finance, commerce and government services generate millions of digital interactions that could provide valuable data and use cases for locally relevant AI solutions.
Language accessibility, however, remains a major challenge. Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi and Saraiki have millions of speakers but remain relatively underrepresented in global AI development. Ensuring that AI tools work in local languages and on commonly available devices will be crucial to making the technology accessible to farmers, healthcare workers, students and small businesses.
The government has also identified AI as a priority through the National AI Policy and National AI Innovation Framework, with an emphasis on skills development, research and cooperation between industry and academia.
The next challenge is implementation. Sustained investment in digital infrastructure and skills, alongside clear regulations and support for innovation, will be essential if Pakistan is to translate AI adoption into productivity, employment and economic growth.
With a large young population, an expanding digital ecosystem and an urgent need for economic transformation, Pakistan has an opportunity to benefit from the AI revolution — provided it moves quickly and focuses on practical applications.
