Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept but an urgent reality shaping societies worldwide. In Pakistan, where nearly 64 percent of the population is under 30, the challenge is to equip youth with the skills of AI and future foresight. This was the focus of the 135th session of the Writers and Readers Café, held at the Arts Council Karachi under the theme “Artificial Intelligence: A Knowledge Revolution.”
Professor Dr. Shams Hameed, futurist and founding director of HUMRI, argued that AI must be viewed not as a substitute for human creativity but as a partner. “Technology alone achieves nothing. It needs human imagination, values, and vision,” he said. He stressed that even elders should learn basic AI literacy to guide future generations.
Dr. Salman Ahmed Khattani, Associate Professor at Iqra University, emphasized integrating foresight studies into Pakistan’s education system. “AI is already transforming healthcare, education, business, and governance. Without foresight it can deepen inequalities, but with guidance it can uplift society,” he observed.
Speakers underlined that the true measure of AI’s success will be its ability to strengthen trust, empathy, and human dignity, not just deliver economic gains. They called for literature and culture to remain central in connecting technology with human values.
