Dr. Sohail Munir, an advisor to the Saudi Data and AI Authority, highlighted at the AI Convergence Summit Pakistan that artificial intelligence (AI) could drive substantial economic growth in Pakistan, potentially contributing up to $20 billion to the country’s GDP by 2030. This estimate forms part of an anticipated $60 billion increase in Pakistan’s digital economy, with AI expected to account for nearly one-third of this growth. Drawing on insights from a PwC report, Dr. Munir projected AI could impact around 10% of Pakistan’s GDP, contributing to global AI-driven economic gains predicted to reach $15.7 trillion.
Ahmed Hashim, CEO of Cygnis, echoed the significance of AI, noting that approximately 30% of Pakistan’s IT exports are AI-based. Similarly, Muntaqa Peracha, CEO of foodpanda, shared how AI enhances operational efficiency by reducing rider wait times, thus boosting productivity. Despite low local demand, international pressures are pushing Pakistan’s top IT firms to increase their AI offerings, with 20-30% of export portfolios now AI-driven.
Speakers emphasized the importance of adopting a solution-focused approach to AI. Habibullah Khan, CEO of Penumbra, compared Pakistan’s AI strategies to India’s proactive customer engagement, advocating that understanding client-specific issues is vital for effective AI integration and economic advancement in Pakistan.
