By Sana Nasir, Founder and Chair, Alliance for Equitable AI (a4eai.com)

A few years ago, the idea that a computer could hold a meaningful conversation in Urdu seemed far-fetched. Today, a student in Lahore can ask a chatbot to explain a complex scientific concept in Urdu. A small business owner in Bahawalpur can seek marketing advice in their preferred language. A teacher in Gilgit can use artificial intelligence to prepare lesson plans in minutes.

The progress has been remarkable.

Yet as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in our lives, a more important question emerges: will Urdu-speaking communities help shape the future of AI, or will they simply consume technologies developed elsewhere?

Much of the global conversation on artificial intelligence focuses on competition between major powers, billion-dollar investments, and the race for technological supremacy. For countries such as Pakistan, however, the challenge is more fundamental. It is about participation.

Language has always been one of the strongest predictors of who benefits from technological change. The internet initially favoured those who could navigate English-language content. Digital services often catered to users already equipped with the skills and resources to engage with them. Artificial intelligence risks repeating this pattern, albeit in a more sophisticated form.

To be fair, the situation today is far more encouraging than it was only a few years ago. Major AI systems have made significant improvements in their ability to understand and generate Urdu. Researchers have developed specialised datasets and benchmarks to evaluate Urdu-language performance. Local innovators are experimenting with solutions tailored to Pakistani users.

These developments deserve recognition.

But linguistic capability alone should not be mistaken for genuine inclusion.

An AI model may be able to generate grammatically correct Urdu while still struggling to understand the social, cultural, and institutional realities that shape everyday life in Pakistan. Understanding language is one thing; understanding context is another.

Can an AI system accurately explain local government procedures? Can it provide reliable guidance on Pakistani laws and regulations? Does it understand the nuances of regional dialects, local customs, and cultural references? Can it respond fairly and effectively to users from different socioeconomic backgrounds?

These questions become increasingly important as governments, businesses, schools, and citizens integrate AI into decision-making processes.

Pakistan’s digital transformation efforts have rightly focused on expanding connectivity and access. Millions of citizens who were previously disconnected now have access to digital services and information. The next challenge is ensuring that artificial intelligence serves the same goal of inclusion.

This requires investment in local knowledge, local datasets, and local expertise. It requires universities, researchers, technology companies, and public institutions to collaborate on strengthening Urdu and regional language resources. It requires greater participation from communities that have historically been underrepresented in technology development, including women, rural populations, and speakers of regional languages.

Most importantly, it requires a shift in mindset.

Artificial intelligence should not be viewed solely as a technology to import and adopt. It should be seen as a system that reflects the values, priorities, and assumptions of those who build it. If Pakistan wishes to benefit fully from the opportunities AI presents, it must become an active contributor to shaping how these systems evolve.

The good news is that the foundations already exist. Pakistan possesses a vibrant technology sector, a growing community of researchers, and a generation of young people eager to engage with emerging technologies. What is needed now is a deliberate effort to ensure that inclusion remains central to our AI future.

The debate should no longer be whether artificial intelligence can speak Urdu.

The more important question is whether artificial intelligence will understand and serve the diverse realities of the people who speak it.

The answer will help determine whether AI becomes a force for broader opportunity or simply another layer in an already unequal digital landscape.

Also Read: Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in Educational Institutions: Protecting Students and Teachers