Arsalan Ahmed Khan
WHEN computers first entered offices, many professionals dismissed them as nothing more than fancy typewriters.
Yet, in just a few decades, they became the backbone of every industry. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now at a similar turning point. The difference is that this wave of transformation is moving far faster. The AI revolution is not around the corner. It has already arrived.
Across the globe, businesses are rethinking operations due to AI. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023 predicts 44 percent of workers’ skills will be disrupted within five years, largely by AI. In Pakistan, the shift is visible: banks use AI to detect fraud and improve service, schools experiment with AI for lesson planning, doctors explore AI-assisted diagnostics and freelancers compete internationally via platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. The writing is on the wall: no profession will remain untouched.
Despite this reality, many professionals still convince themselves that AI has little to do with their careers. Others hesitate because they think it is too technical to learn. That mindset is risky. AI is no longer a niche skill. It is quickly becoming the baseline for employability. As someone who works in recruitment, I already meet candidates who use AI to prepare for interviews, analyze market trends and draft business proposals. Those who embrace these tools gain an edge. Those who ignore them risk being left behind, not because they lack talent, but because they fail to adapt.
It is worth remembering that AI is not here to push people out of the workforce entirely. Instead, it is changing the very nature of work. Just as calculators reduced the need for manual arithmetic, AI is automating routine tasks such as data analysis, report writing and application screening. This does not make human skills irrelevant. On the contrary, it makes creativity, empathy, leadership and strategic thinking even more valuable because these are qualities that machines cannot replicate.
The encouraging part is that learning AI no longer requires a degree in computer science. Anyone can begin today. Tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or Google Gemini are available on laptops and even smartphones. These tools can also act as personal tutors, explaining concepts, offering examples and guiding practice. As the saying goes, where there is a will, there is a way. The barrier is not access. It is mindset.
For Pakistan’s workforce, this transformation presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The International Labor Organization has noted that countries embracing digital innovation are likely to create millions of new jobs, while those resisting it risk widening unemployment gaps. If we cling to outdated ways of working, we risk being sidelined in a world that is racing forward. If we embrace AI, however, we can boost productivity, open new industries and ensure our youth are competitive not only within Pakistan but also across the global job market.
The choice before us is simple but urgent. AI will not slow down to wait for anyone. Professionals and organizations must decide whether they will adapt or become obsolete. In this new normal, AI literacy is no longer optional. It is essential. The ball is in our court and the time to act is now. “Artificial intelligence will not replace humans. But humans with artificial intelligence will replace humans without it.” Unknown!
—The writer is Head of Talent Acquisition at Meezan Bank.
