AI vital for green future: moot told

Three-day moot on AI in ecosystem, climate action begins at Karachi University

IV Report

KARACHI: Speakers at the inaugural session of a three-day international conference on Artificial Intelligence on Tuesday said AI is profoundly influencing civilisation by changing the way humans work, learn and organise societies, while also emerging as a critical tool to address global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.

The conference titled “Smart Solutions for a Green Future: AI in Ecosystem and Climate Action 2026” is being held at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi.

It is jointly organised by the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST), the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, ICCBS, the Alliance of National and International Science Organisations (ANSO), the China-Pakistan Joint Research Center on Earth Sciences (CPJRC) and other scientific institutions.

Dr Atta-ur-Rahman, Professor Emeritus and former Federal Minister for Science and Technology, said Pakistan’s investment in R&D was dismal, not even 0.2 percent of GDP, whereas it should be 10-fold higher. He noted the Chinese private sector contributes about 60 percent of national R&D, while in Pakistan it is less than 0.1 percent.

He urged the government to make massive investments in R&D for socioeconomic progress.

Highlighting AI’s role, Prof Atta said it is bringing two major transformations. First, transformation of human work and social institutions, changing how people work, learn, communicate and organise their lives. Second, transformation of human thinking, power and social relationships, changing how decisions are made and how power operates.

Prof Dr Tianhua Hong, Executive Director-General of CPJRC, stressed China-Pakistan cooperation in scientific research and education. He said CPJRC serves as a bridge for cooperation in earth sciences, focusing on natural disasters, ecological environment, resource development and sustainable development to promote CPEC.

Prof Dr Muhammad Qasim Jan, former caretaker provincial minister for education in KP, said science is the only way forward for socioeconomic progress, as global problems like climate change and global warming require scientific solutions.

Prof Dr Zabta K Shinwari, Vice-Chancellor of FUUAST, said the conference will focus on application of AI in environmental protection, climate mitigation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. He appreciated participation of female researchers.

Prof Dr Muhammad Raza Shah, Director ICCBS, said the moot aims to bring together AI, environmental science and emerging technologies to explore practical solutions to climate change and ecosystem challenges. He said ICCBS has established a Center for Artificial Intelligence in Health Sciences.

Photos courtesy: ICCBS

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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