Pakistan’s digital economy is expected to grow to $60 billion by 2030, with artificial intelligence (AI) driving much of this growth. Dr. Sohail Munir, an advisor to the Saudi Data and AI Authority, highlighted that AI alone could contribute between $10 and $20 billion to this expansion, potentially boosting Pakistan’s GDP by up to 10% by 2030.
Dr. Munir referenced a report by PwC which forecasts that AI’s global economic impact could exceed $15.7 trillion, a value greater than the combined GDPs of China and India. This growth illustrates the vast potential of AI across the world, and Pakistan is no exception to this trend.
Ahmed Hashim, CEO of Cygnis, shared that AI already makes up 30% of Pakistan’s IT exports, showing the country’s quick adoption of this technology in the tech sector. However, domestic demand for AI-based services remains low in Pakistan, meaning much of the AI work done by Pakistani firms is for international clients rather than for local businesses.
Arsalan Akhtar, president of Cygnis, pointed out that while Pakistan’s AI sector has made strides, the local market still lags in demand for these advanced services.
This gap suggests that Pakistan’s AI industry is primarily driven by global demand, while its potential within the country remains largely untapped. As Pakistan’s digital economy grows, increasing local awareness and demand for AI solutions could play a key role in further boosting its digital transformation.
