Pakistan Joins China-Led AI Body as Founding Member
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, traveled to Shanghai, China, on Thursday for a two-day visit. The primary purpose of his trip is to sign an agreement making Pakistan a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO). China proposed the establishment of WAICO last year as a framework for artificial intelligence governance. During his visit, Dar is also scheduled to attend the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026. He will engage with other international leaders to foster cooperation in AI and advocate for inclusive and equitable AI governance. The Foreign Office also indicated that Dar would hold bilateral discussions with his Chinese counterpart and other officials to address topics of mutual concern. In these engagements, Dar plans to articulate Pakistan's viewpoint on enhancing international AI collaboration, specifically highlighting the needs and developmental priorities of the Global South. He intends to emphasize the necessity of reducing the global AI disparity, ensuring fair access to AI technologies, improving capacity-building initiatives, and making sure that AI's advantages support sustainable development and widespread prosperity.
Pakistan's accession to the WAICO signifies a strategic alignment with China's vision for global AI governance. This move positions Pakistan to influence the development of AI standards and policies from their inception, particularly concerning the Global South's interests. The initiative reflects a broader trend of nations seeking to shape the future of AI to address developmental disparities and ensure equitable access to technology. By emphasizing capacity-building and bridging the AI divide, Pakistan aims to leverage AI for sustainable development, potentially mitigating risks associated with technological exclusion and fostering economic growth. The long-term implications will depend on WAICO's effectiveness in promoting genuine cooperation versus serving as a platform for geopolitical influence in the critical field of artificial intelligence.
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