Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic idea. It has become a defining force of the twenty-first century, transforming how societies think, govern, and grow. Across the world, algorithms are now embedded in daily decision-making - from how banks assess risk to how governments deliver public services. For Pakistan, this transformation brings both opportunity and responsibility: the chance to build a fairer, more efficient society, and the duty to ensure that technology remains accountable to human values.

In Pakistan, conversations about AI often revolve around robotics or automation, yet the real change is more subtle. It lies in algorithms that quietly process information and shape outcomes - credit approvals, medical diagnoses and access to public programmes. These systems carry immense potential, but they also demand legal and ethical vigilance.

The financial sector illustrates this balance clearly. Traditional credit systems in Pakistan have long favoured those with documented employment and assets, excluding millions outside the formal economy. Women entrepreneurs, small business owners and daily wage earners often find themselves locked out of mainstream finance. Artificial intelligence, however, is rewriting that narrative. By analysing nontraditional data such as rent payments, mobile transactions and digital purchase patterns, AI can........

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