In recent years, countries have started pushing very different rules on artificial intelligence. Democratic nations often focus on fairness, transparency and protecting people’s rights. Other governments may care more about boosting innovation or tightening control. For example, in 2022 the US put out a non-binding “Blueprint for an AI Bill Of Rights” — really just guidance, not law .
More recently (January 2025), the new Trump administration rolled back many Biden-era AI rules. It issued an Executive Order to remove “barriers to American AI innovation” and promised AI systems free of “ideological bias” . Some U.S. states (like New York and Illinois) are also moving to pass their own AI laws.
Across the Atlantic, Europe took a different path. The EU passed a landmark AI Act in mid-2024 — the world’s first comprehensive AI law. It took effect in August 2024 and will be fully enforceable by August 2026 . The law sorts AI uses by risk and bans some outright. For example, live facial recognition in public places, secret “social scoring” systems and massive untargeted web-scraping of people’s data are forbidden . Because any company processing EU citizens’ data must follow these rules, the EU Act has a global reach.
International groups are stepping in too. UNESCO (a UN cultural agency) has led forums on AI ethics to share ideas about human rights and fairness. The OECD updated its AI Principles in May 2024 to reflect new tech, adding guidance on safety, disinformation and sustainability. The updated OECD principles push for AI that is “trustworthy” and respects human rights and democratic values.
Even the UN has been involved: a UN advisory body on AI recently released a report with seven recommendations for global governance. Report warned about AI fueling misinformation and fake news if left unchecked.
Read More: Who Really Benefits from a Globalized, Automated World?
Pakistan is watching these trends and acting too. In January 2025, Parliament approved the Digital Nation Pakistan Act, 2025. This new law creates a Pakistan Digital Authority and a National Digital Commission (chaired by the prime minister) to coordinate tech policy nationwide . The aim is to jump-start Pakistan’s digital economy. Officials are also working on a National AI Policy, which would integrate AI into education and industry, support startups, and help close digital divides. Experts say its success will depend on investments in infrastructure, education and data access for everyone.
On privacy and regulation, lawmakers have multiple bills in play. Pakistan’s Personal Data Protection Bill (2023) — modeled on the EU’s GDPR — was approved by the Cabinet in 2022 and is now being reviewed by a Senate committee . At the same time, Senator Afnan Ullah Khan introduced a Regulation of AI Bill, 2024 to set up rules and oversight for AI . This proposed AI bill would lay the groundwork for government bodies and standards. Its progress may slow as Parliament deals with other priorities.
Even before those laws are final, regulators are moving. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is drafting “responsible AI” guidelines for banks , aimed at fostering trust and accountability. In its 2024 Financial Stability Report, the SBP notes that nearly half of Pakistani banks and financial firms are already using AI tools (for fraud detection, chatbots, credit scoring and more) . The report advises banks to include AI’s energy use (carbon footprint) in their risk plans . These steps show regulators are taking AI’s benefits and risks seriously, even as formal laws are still in the works.
All of this means Pakistan is at a crossroads. On one side are Western-style ideas stressing individual rights, transparency and cooperation. On the other are more centralized models focused on state control and security. Pakistan’s leaders talk about making the country a regional AI hub, but it will be a test to balance that goal with protecting privacy and democracy.
In the coming months, Pakistan will likely finalize its national AI policy, debate its data protection law, and watch how Europe’s and America’s new AI rules play out. These decisions will shape not only Pakistan’s digital economy, but also its place in the broader contest over how to govern AI worldwide.
Ali Abdullah
Ali Abdullah is an Independent Researcher & can be reached at allixabdullahh.formal@gmail.
