Hold your AI horses

As artificial intelligence hurtles forward at breakneck speed, much of the world, including Pakistan, is dragging its feet when it comes to drawing up the rules of engagement. The article rings the alarm bell on the unchecked use of generative AI across industries, particularly in countries where oversight is a mere afterthought. While AI tools promise efficiency, savings, and innovation, the writer cautions against jumping the gun. Without proper regulation, ethical consideration, or structured oversight, the technology may do more harm than good. With Pakistan’s National AI Policy still gathering dust since its 2023 draft, the absence of guardrails leaves wide room for misuse from data privacy violations to institutional dependence on unverified outputs.

The piece also dissects how AI is being handled globally, highlighting examples like the UAE’s appointment of an AI minister or Kenya’s strategic national framework. Pakistan, in contrast, is dabbling in AI without a clear roadmap. While a few institutions like the Supreme Court and Aga Khan University are taking baby steps toward responsible integration, others, especially the media industry, are walking blindfolded. The article pulls no punches in pointing out how generative AI is flooding digital spaces with lazy, biased, and sometimes downright bizarre content. It argues that the real problem isn’t the technology itself but it’s the blind trust and lack of structure around it. If Pakistan doesn’t get its act together, it risks being left in the dust or worse, overrun by the very technology it’s trying to harness.

Overview:

This article lays bare the growing chaos surrounding unregulated AI usage in Pakistan and beyond. It presses for urgent policy development and institutional accountability before generative AI tools spiral out of control. Through global comparisons and real-time examples, the writer shows how carelessly adopting AI without ethical frameworks is a recipe for disaster.

NOTES:

This article highlights the growing gap between AI adoption and policy implementation, an issue that is gaining traction globally. The writer emphasizes that while AI is here to stay, its use must be governed with foresight and responsibility. The article is especially relevant when discussing public policy failures, digital governance, ethical dilemmas in technology, and institutional readiness. Aspirants can cite this article to showcase how global examples of AI readiness contrast with Pakistan’s sluggish policy-making. It’s a wake-up call for policymakers and an eye-opener for aspirants eager to present grounded, current and critical perspectives on emerging technologies.

Relevant CSS syllabus or subjects:

• Pakistan Affairs: Technology Policy, Institutional Capacity
• Current Affairs: Artificial Intelligence, Global Technology Trends
• Governance & Public Policy: Ethical Use of Technology, Regulatory Oversight
• Science & Technology: Emerging Technologies, Digital Transformation
• Essay: Ethics in AI, Technology and Society, Future of Work

Notes for Beginners:

This article makes it easy to grasp how dangerous it can be to use a powerful tool like AI without any safety net. Imagine giving a child a chainsaw without showing them how to use it, that’s how risky it is when AI tools are used without rules. The writer explains how even major newsrooms are using AI without guidelines, leading to embarrassing mistakes like showing witches in a news story about black magic. Some places like Aga Khan University are trying to handle it responsibly, but that’s not enough. Think of AI as a high-speed train, but without tracks it crashes. Pakistan needs policies and departments to guide its direction before it’s too late.

Facts and Figures:

• Pakistan’s National AI Policy, drafted in May 2023, still not finalized as of mid-2025
• Aga Khan University has a dedicated AI division to support academic and research use
• In April 2025, the Supreme Court recognized the use of AI to support, not replace human judgment
• State Bank of Pakistan is working on AI guidelines for the financial sector
• UAE appointed a Minister for AI in 2017, and Kenya launched a National AI Strategy 2025–2030 in March 2025
• Media outlets in Pakistan are using AI without formal guidelines, leading to biased or inaccurate representations

To sum up, this article doesn’t mince words in calling out the reckless embrace of AI without responsibility. While the potential of AI is sky-high, so are the risks if left unchecked. Zahrah Mazhar masterfully warns that enthusiasm must be matched with ethics, and speed with structure. Pakistan’s lag in finalizing its AI policy is not just a bureaucratic delay, it’s a ticking time bomb. Until we stop treating AI like a magic wand and start managing it like a tool with limits, we’ll remain trapped in a loop of mistakes, biases, and missed opportunities. The future isn’t about whether we use AI or not, it’s about whether we use it wisely.