JazzWorld CEO Aamir Ibrahim has called for greater investment in AI infrastructure to help Pakistan address what he described as an emerging “intelligence divide.”

Speaking at the Leaders in Islamabad Business Summit, Ibrahim said AI factories could play a key role in building Pakistan’s capabilities in the global artificial intelligence economy.

He made the remarks during the summit’s opening session, “The Next Move: Reading the Moment.”

Ibrahim said Pakistan needs to look beyond traditional economic sectors. He urged the country to develop the infrastructure and skills required to participate in the fast-growing AI economy.

AI Factories Require Energy, Compute and Data

Ibrahim said an AI factory depends on several critical inputs.

These include energy, computing capacity, data centres and data.

The outputs can include AI inference, tokens, software, code, video and audio.

He said growing global investment in AI infrastructure creates an opportunity for Pakistan.

“Pakistan has woken up to these realities. We need to be very intentional about building this capability and turning it into an opportunity,” Ibrahim said.

He added that Pakistan should develop the infrastructure needed to create AI products and services for local and international markets.

Pakistan Should Become an AI Maker

Ibrahim said Pakistan should aim to become an “AI maker” rather than only consume technologies developed elsewhere.

He said locally developed AI systems could serve global markets while also addressing Pakistan’s languages, culture, security requirements and local needs.

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He also highlighted the importance of sovereign AI.

According to Ibrahim, sovereign AI involves more than keeping data within national borders. It also requires greater control over the systems and capabilities that shape the country’s digital and cognitive infrastructure.

AI Could Widen the Intelligence Divide

Ibrahim warned that unequal access to AI could create a new gap between people with access to AI-powered capabilities and those without it.

He said AI will increasingly influence access to education, analysis, information and software development.

“The digital divide was about access to connectivity and information. The intelligence divide will be about access to capability,” he said.

Ibrahim also called for broader access to AI capabilities across Pakistan.

He said the country needs to ensure that technological progress reaches people across society.

Business Leaders Discuss Pakistan’s Economic Potential

Ibrahim later joined a leadership dialogue titled “From Strategic Relevance to National Advantage.”

The discussion formed part of the summit’s closing session, “The Next Move: Pakistan’s Moment of Choice.”

Participants included former caretaker prime minister Senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Senator Dr Musadik Malik, former Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman and Pakistan Business Council Chairman Ziad Bashir.

The session was moderated by Fahd Husain, Anchor, Columnist and Executive Editor of The Express Tribune.

Ibrahim reiterated the need to convert Pakistan’s strategic potential into economic opportunities.

He said compute, data centres, reliable energy and connectivity will be important for Pakistan’s participation in the global AI value chain.

He also said stronger domestic AI capabilities could help address local challenges, expand access to intelligence and create opportunities for exports and economic growth.