AI is the new buzzword. We consume and utilise it on a daily basis. Regardless of which side of the fence one sits on with reference to the debate on AI and its implications, it is an undeniable fact that AI will transform humanity in a major and fundamental way. The education sector is no exception. AI affects educational practices both positively and negatively. The biggest advantage that AI would provide educators is the ability to tailor personalised learning for students in keeping with their requirements and comprehension levels instead of the traditional method of teaching a single lesson to all. AI tools make it possible for educators to analyse students’ performance data and identify areas in which an individual student needs to focus and work on. Bahawalnagar Police detain 1121 suspects during an ongoing campaign AI tools would, in particular, be beneficial for students with disabilities, as they would now be able to use AI tools such as speech recognition, text-to-speech software, etc. , to overcome any difficulty and keep up with their classes. The utility of AI tools in research, especially in higher education, is well documented. Research students across the educational spectrum can use AI for analysing large datasets, identifying trends and collecting diverse perspectives on their research. AI would be equally beneficial for teachers in conducting their teaching duties as well as for the administration of educational institutions. Punjab appoints Khalid Parvaiz as new EOC Coordinator for polio eradication On the negative side, excessive use of AI would minimise human interaction, be it between students or between teachers and students. One of the important aspects of such an interaction is to provide students with the opportunity to engage and socialise with fellow students, improve their communication and social skills and, in the process, learn different realities of life and emotionally support each other. AI would adversely affect this, as students within an AI-intensive environment would rely excessively on technology. In such a situation, as has already been observed, students, instead of developing independent problem-solving capabilities, are reliant on AI to find answers, resulting in poor imagination, creativity and critical thinking among students. If this trend remains unchecked, it would result in cognitive offloading. Furthermore, no country, especially the less developed countries, can ensure universal and equal access to the internet and AI-supported educational resources for all its students, creating a digital divide. CNF smashes inter-provincial gang, recovers huge cache of drugs in major operation Pakistan cannot ignore AI and must incorporate AI into its education sector. However, the main questions to consider are: Is Pakistan ready to incorporate AI into its education system? How effectively can it be done, and what are the positives and negatives of this whole process? And what steps are required to achieve the most from such an integration? Pakistan’s educational sector is currently facing several challenges, including a lack of teaching resources, skill gaps and teacher shortages, as well as administrative and logistical issues. With due consideration and proper utilisation, AI could immensely benefit the education sector in Pakistan. In particular, AI can solve the overcrowded classrooms problem. With the introduction of AI, teachers can opt for personalised learning in which due attention could be given to those students who are struggling or lagging behind in certain subjects. It could also enhance language teaching in the country. Patriotic Companions endorse Naqvi’s call for creation of new provinces Thus far, there is a clear disparity between urban and rural educational institutions and students in Pakistan. This educational inequality can be addressed using AI. Government schools in the periphery lack teachers, teaching resources as well as support infrastructure. In contrast, students in urban areas have access to multiple resources. AI can address this disparity, as AI-driven platforms can deliver high-quality educational content to students throughout Pakistan. Tools such as mobile applications, smartphones and virtual classrooms would provide students in rural and far-flung areas with access to the same content and educational resources as those in major cities such as Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. For students who find it hard to comprehend lessons in the English language, AI would provide them with instructions in their preferred language using AI-powered translation and language-processing technologies. DCC reviews progress of ongoing development schemes AI can also greatly facilitate teachers in professional development, honing their teaching skills, etc. Teachers can identify students who need attention and support in their lessons and strategise accordingly. Another avenue where AI could be beneficial is in skill development and workforce preparation. This is important, as in the future, the demand will be that workers in the labour market hold technical competencies as well as be capable of adaptability, creativity, critical thinking and digital literacy. For all the above reasons and many more, Pakistan must invest in AI-based education. That is the only way its immense youth bulge and human capital would be able to make a meaningful contribution to Pakistan’s economic uplift and modernisation. However, Islamabad must be cognisant of the hurdles in the way of meaningful and objective integration of AI into the country’s education system. At present, there is a lack of digital infrastructure in the country. The country needs to work on internet connectivity and network quality. There are not enough computer facilities and training labs, especially beyond major cities. Without addressing this, any integration of AI with the education system would make it accessible to only a privileged few. The same is the issue with digital devices. The key to the successful utilisation of AI for education is teachers and instructors. At present, the number of digitally literate teachers in Pakistan is sparse. This must be addressed as a priority. What is paramount is that the relevant parts of the National AI Policy 2025 are elaborated in a comprehensive and coherent national policy on AI and education. Without clear guidelines and a roadmap on how to address the issues related to AI and education, and how to tackle the bureaucratic and administrative aspects, meaningful and objective integration of the two cannot take place. All in all, AI can meaningfully contribute to Pakistan’s educational sector. However, for this to happen, clarity is a must. Only with a clear and target-oriented roadmap can Pakistan reap the benefits of AI. Pakistan must prepare for the whole journey before taking the first step. Rizwan ZebThe writer is a Karachi-based Security Analyst. He and Dr. Gloria Shkurti co-authored “Dynamics of Pakistan-Türkiye Relations in a Challenging Global Order”
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