Artificial intelligence is the capability of a computer or a robot controlled by an algorithm to do tasks that normally require human intelligence and judgment. Siri and Google Translate are examples of AI usage because they employ AI systems based on the learning process of human neural networks. Many people say that AI improves the quality of daily life by doing basic and complex activities more efficiently than humans, making life easier and more efficient. Others argue that AI threatens people’s privacy, heightens racism by categorizing people, and costs employees their jobs, which results in higher unemployment.

Google recently introduced PaLM 2, a next-generation large language model that has improved reasoning, multilingual, and coding capabilities. It is more capable, faster, and more efficient than its older versions and is already used in over 25 Google products and features, including Bard, generative AI features in Gmail, Workspace, and SGE, their experiment to integrate generative AI into Google Search deeply. They are also using PaLM 2 to advance research internally on things like healthcare to cybersecurity. In this research article, our Tashheer research team compiled all the details related how Google promotes AI advancement in Pakistan. For a deeper understanding, check out Google Vs. AI: How can we Compare AI with Google Search.

Introduction to Google’s Initiatives in Pakistan.

From the early days of computer labs to the integration of tablets and interactive whiteboards, technology has progressively become an internal part of the classroom. Google’s recent announcement that it will launch 50 smart schools in Pakistan marks a significant step in the educational technology journey, especially for young learners.

This new phase of development has changed the way how Pakistani children learn and interact with other developed countries like the United States and New Zealand. Google’s recent initiative to construct smart schools in Islamabad exemplifies dedication to educational improvement. These schools will be equipped with Google for Education IDs, providing access to AI tools designed to enhance productivity and collaboration among students and teachers. Google’s smart schools aim to create an atmosphere where children can learn in a more personalized, engaging, and efficient manner. In addition to these advancements, there are many institutes that are providing quality education to the children of Pakistan. For more information, check out our comprehensive list of the Top Universities and Educational Institutes in Pakistan

Promoting AI Advancement in Pakistan

Pakistan has made noteworthy progress towards adopting AI technologies since 2018, when the Pakistani government launched the Presidential Initiative for Artificial Intelligence and Computing (PIAIC). In 2020, the Pakistani government revealed its 2nd flagship initiative, Pakistan Artificial Intelligence Initiative (PAII), which provides access to modern AI technologies in finance, healthcare, and agriculture by 2022. in addition to these efforts, various companies and research institutions actively design and deploy AI-driven solutions for multiple industries and sectors. Google has strengthened its efforts to promote AI skills in Pakistan by introducing the AI Essentials Course, Google Career Certificate Scholarships, and other programs. This newly launched AI Essentials Course by Google aims to provide more individuals with digital skills for the future.

Google’s Role in Skill Development

In 2024, Google plans to award over 45,000 scholarships for Google Career Certificates to freelancers and women. Additionally, Google has initiated two new programs to encourage freelancers and women. Next year, Google will prepare a program in collaboration with the Pakistan Freelancers Association. This program will help the freelancing community in Pakistan tackle challenges related to personal branding, soft skills, and communication skills. The course will specifically focus on utilizing AI tools and discussing ideas to enhance productivity in daily tasks. Tech education is an important factor in preparing the workforce for the evolving job market, and programs like these highlight the growing opportunities and trends in the industry. For a deeper dive, read more about The Future of Tech Jobs in Pakistan: Opportunities and Trends

On the other hand, Farhan Qureshi, the Country Director of Google for Pakistan, announced that Google hopes to continue playing a persuasive role in Pakistan’s digital landscape with the initiative of Google Career Certificates.

Impact and Challenges

Is Google threatened by the emergence of more advanced AI (artificial intelligence) algorithms?

Google is today the master of search, conducting billions of daily searches. However, the recent launch of ChatGPT made more people speculate whether it could overthrow Google as the space leader. However, stating that these AI tools are opposite to Google is false. Google is known as a leader in the AI industry and used this algorithm to improve its search engine for 10 years. One earlier example was when Google researchers Jeff Dean and Andrew Ng trained a large neural network equipped with 16,000 processors to detect cat images by presenting it with 10 million unlabeled images from YouTube videos without providing any background information. Multiple ethical concerns surround artificial intelligence, including the possibility of using it in ways that can harm individuals, violate privacy, or discriminate against certain groups. Google is continually advancing its AI capabilities to enhance its search engine and other services. For more insights, read our detailed comparison Google Search Vs ChatGPT. How AI-based tool is a threat to the Search giant?

One of its most dangerous disadvantages is that AI can be used to violate people’s privacy. Facial recognition technology based on AI has been criticized for tracking people without their consent. Similarly, AI algorithms that can decode and analyze large amounts of personal data, such as search history or social media posts, can be used to learn sensitive information about people without their consent and knowledge. NADRA has recently introduced Pakistan’s first all-in-one digital identity kit, which integrates advanced AI features while also addressing these privacy concerns. For more information, check out the full details on NADRA Unveils Pakistan’s First All-in-one Digital Identity Kit

Another concern is that AI algorithms used to make employment or loan approval decisions may be biased and lead to dishonest outcomes for certain groups of people. Moreover, AI systems used in safety-critical apps like self-driving cars may malfunction and cause accidents.

Summarizing 

Google AI has market share of 3.21% in artificial-intelligence market. In this research article, our Tashheer research team compiled all the details about how Google promotes AI advancement in Pakistan. ​Guided by its AI Principles, Google is still working on Gemini to drive future advancements in the next 25 years. Google started testing AI overviews with a limited subset of selected users a year ago but the company is now making them a regular feature of its search results in the U.S. before expanding globally. By the end of 2024, Google expects the recurring AI overviews to be part of its search results for around 1 billion people.