AI, Big Tech,& Public Interest: IRADA Launches Reports on Pakistan’s Digital Future

News Desk 

Islamabad: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be integrated in newsrooms without losing human oversight and integrity of information”, media experts and journalists agreed at the launch of study “AI & Public Interest Journalism: Mapping Readiness Of Pakistani Independent Digital Newsrooms”. 

The study was launched at the “AI & Technological Governance: Launch & Dialogue” organised by the Institute for Research, Advocacy and Development (IRADA) to discuss use of AI in digital newsrooms, along with the needs and readiness of these platforms with regards to machine learning. 

The study, authored by Moaz Ahmed Bhangu, assesses 37 independent digital news platforms and their AI use and found that 4 out of 5 such platforms are using AI in different capacities. It also found that smaller platforms reporting in local languages are the most in need of education around AI tools in Pakistan, while many still remain cautious in its use. 

Zoya Anwer, an assistant editor at Hum English and a panelist at the launch, stressed that AI was widely being used in newsrooms, but still considered as unethical due to lack of conversations around ethical integration and editorial oversight. 

Other panelists, including Irfana Yasser of BBC World Service, Adnan Rehmat from International Media Support (IMS) and Dr Saadia Ishtiaq Nauman from Fatima Jinnah Women’s University (FJWU), agreed that stakeholders in the media industry must come together to encourage and facilitate use of AI in digital media.

A second report by IRADA was also launched at the event titled “Big Tech in Pakistan: A Situation Report”. Authored by Farhan Afsar, the report analyses the presence of leading social media companies in Pakistan, how they comply with government requests, and what their relationship with local stakeholders looks like. 

The report and its findings were discussed by a panel of experts including civil society and policy specialists. Shafiq Chaudry, executive director of the Parliamentarian’s Commission for Human Rights (PCHR) said that government representatives need to have a conversation with social media companies to develop regulations based on regional, cultural and social context, and through transparent stakeholder engagement. 

Usman Zafar, project lead for UNDP’s Safe Digital Environment Program, highlighted the need for public awareness on law and policies, especially those related to gender-based violence and the responsibility of big tech companies in protecting audiences from online harm. 

The event concluded with closing remarks from Zafarullah Khan, veteran journalist and board member IRADA, who commended both reports, appreciated the digitisation of government records by the state and stressed the need for greater collaboration between stakeholders.