At the Leap 2025 technology conference in Riyadh, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecom, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to transparency and accountability in digital platforms. The event, held from February 9 to 12, brought together Pakistani and Saudi business leaders, government officials, and tech experts.
In her speech at the panel titled “Shaping the future of ethical AI: multilateral perspectives on governance and risk management,” Minister Khawaja emphasized the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) while advocating for multilateral cooperation and strong regulatory frameworks to ensure AI benefits all of society. She stressed the importance of data privacy, security, and fairness, calling for global collaboration to prevent discrimination and ensure equal digital opportunities.
The minister also discussed the need to bridge the digital divide, particularly in developing nations, by promoting inclusive policies and capacity-building initiatives. She highlighted AI as a tool for social empowerment, ensuring its benefits extend beyond economic growth to create a more equitable digital future. Additionally, she advocated for environmentally responsible AI development to reduce its carbon footprint.
Shaza reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a transparent and accountable approach to digital platforms and ethical AI deployment, emphasizing the importance of creating a global governance framework. She also discussed Pakistan’s AI strategy, which aims to leverage AI to enhance public services, foster economic growth, and build a sustainable digital ecosystem.
The minister’s speech also included her recent initiative, the “Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, 2024,” aimed at creating a digital identity for citizens and transforming Pakistan into a fully digital society, economy, and governance system.
