karachi : Building a competitive artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem will require Pakistan to invest in secure, resilient and high-capacity digital infrastructure supported by predictable policies and coordinated action across the public and private sectors, PTML Chief Technology and AI Officer (CTO), Awais Vohra said during the GSMA Digital Nation Pakistan Ministerial Roundtable on Tuesday.
Speaking during the session on “Building Trusted Digital Infrastructure for an AI-Driven Economy,” Awais Vohra said AI-driven economic growth would depend on strengthening the country’s digital foundations through sustained investment and long-term policy support.
He said developing the required digital infrastructure would require continued investment in digital connectivity, modernization of networks, improved reliability and the development of AI-native capabilities.
Vohra said predictable policy frameworks would be critical to enabling such investment. He identified affordable devices and a reliable power grid as key building blocks of a digital ecosystem capable of supporting digitalization and accelerating AI adoption. He welcomed the spectrum reforms that paved the way for the rollout of next generation mobile services in Pakistan.
On cybersecurity and digital trust, Vohra said security and resilience must be built into digital infrastructure from the outset as AI becomes increasingly embedded across industries and society. He called for regulatory frameworks that are forward-looking and innovation-friendly, saying they should facilitate the adoption of emerging technologies while maintaining high standards of security and public trust.
Vohra said achieving these objectives would require close collaboration among government, regulators, telecom operators, technology providers and development partners to establish a robust digital framework.
He added that such an approach would help strengthen the broader economy, accelerate the growth of the digital economy, promote the ethical use of AI and support wider benefits across sectors including education and healthcare, while creating value for businesses and communities.