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JazzWorld CEO Aamir Ibrahim has urged Pakistan to develop AI infrastructure and local capabilities to prevent a widening “intelligence divide” and expand technology exports.
JazzWorld CEO Aamir Ibrahim has called for greater investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure in Pakistan, warning that unequal access to AI capabilities could create a new “intelligence divide.”
Speaking at the Leaders in Islamabad Business Summit during the opening session, “The Next Move: Reading the Moment,” Ibrahim said Pakistan needs to build the infrastructure required to participate in the expanding global AI economy rather than remain primarily a consumer of technologies developed elsewhere.
He described an AI factory as an ecosystem requiring energy, computing capacity, data centres and data, with potential outputs including AI inference, tokens, software, code, video and audio. With substantial international investment being directed towards AI infrastructure, he said Pakistan should deliberately develop similar capabilities.
“Pakistan has woken up to these realities. We need to be very intentional about building this capability and turning it into an opportunity,” Ibrahim said.
He said Pakistan should aim to become an “AI maker” by developing systems capable of serving international markets while accounting for local languages, culture, security needs and other contextual requirements. He also highlighted sovereign AI, arguing that it involves more than retaining data within national borders and extends to maintaining greater control over the country’s “cognitive layer.”
Ibrahim said the emerging intelligence divide would concern access to capabilities in areas including education, information, analysis and software development.
“The digital divide was about access to connectivity and information. The intelligence divide will be about access to capability. We need to make sure that there is an intelligent future for every Pakistani — a smartphone in every hand, and intelligence available to everyone,” he said.
He later participated in the summit’s closing leadership dialogue, “From Strategic Relevance to National Advantage,” alongside former caretaker prime minister Senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Senator Dr Musadik Malik, former Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman and Pakistan Business Council Chairman Ziad Bashir.
During the discussion, Ibrahim stressed that computing infrastructure, data centres, dependable energy and connectivity would be essential for Pakistan to participate in the global AI value chain. He said stronger domestic AI capabilities could also address local requirements while supporting technology exports and broader economic opportunities.
