THE world is witnessing a seismic shift in view of the explosion of disruptive technologies that are completely uprooting conventional manufacturing infrastructure, replacing it with smart and high tech industrial landscape, leveraging knowledge, IT, AI, and digital systems for global competitiveness. The digital natives have varying views and understanding of emerging technologies and their risks however, they view more of the positive effects than the risks associated with the technology.
In the era of Industry 4.0, Pakistan’s economic prosperity is inextricably linked to its ability to develop a robust knowledge-based economy, underpinned by cutting-edge IT, AI, and digital infrastructure. As per World Economic Forum (2017), 12 emerging technologies; 3D printing, blockchain, and distributed ledger, neuro-technologies, new computing technologies, advanced materials and nano-materials, space technologies, geo-engineering, ubiquitous linked sensors, biotechnologies energy capture, storage and transmission, virtual and augmented realities, and artificial intelligence and robotics, will feature the future industrial spectrum.
As global supply and value chains undergo a paradigm shift, our country must adapt and align itself with these changes to remain relevant and productive. Pakistan, with approximately 60- 65% of its population below the age of 30, boasts one of the largest Gen Z populations across the world. Gen-Z, at its core, values authenticity, diversity, and technological innovation and doesn’t like tread on the beaten track rather carves out its own path, redefining societal norms embracing change wholeheartedly. The imperative for Pakistan to develop its digital ecosystem is underscored by the exponential growth of global digital trade, projected to reach $4.3 trillion by 2025.
In the rapidly evolving global landscape, Pakistan stands at a critical juncture, faced with the imperative to transform its economy and harness the potential of digital infrastructure underpinned by cutting-edge and emerging technologies, such as IT, AI, ML, block-chain, quantum computing, quantum communication, cloud computing, big data, virtual, augmented and mixed reality, the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced analytics, clean-tech, robotics etc.; essentially required to drive innovation to stay relevant in knowledge intensive, technologically transformed and hypercompetitive industrial world.
Pakistan’s economic growth and competitiveness hinge on its ability to align with the global digital economy, particularly in high-speed broadband, data centres and cloud computing, to drive innovation and entrepreneurship. IT contributed $3.5 billion to GDP in 2024, with potential to double within 2-4 years. Davenport (2019) emphasizes that fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship is crucial for Pakistan’s digital economy. Encouraging experimentation, risk-taking, and creativity can unlock youth potential and create a globally competitive startup ecosystem, securing Pakistan’s share in the global value chain.
While Gen Zers are technically agile and adept, they are also highly vulnerable to technological and physical risks such as systemic disruption, security incidents, natural disasters, or simple human error. Global Risks Report-2017 of the World Economic Forum highlights four technological risks: a) adverse consequences of technological advances; b) breakdown of critical information infrastructure and networks; large-scale cyber attacks; and massive incident of data fraud/theft. While we regard induction of futuristic and emerging technologies as a development imperative there risk factors, ethical issues and cultural concerns must need to be accorded due cognizance. There must be a responsible and active advocacy on digital citizenship, including responsible use of social media as well as green computing.
—The writer is a contributing columnist, based in Islamabad.
