Sovereign AI White Paper Launched with Pakistan at Global Tech Forum
Pakistan participated in the launch of a sovereign AI white paper at the Zhongguancun Forum held in Beijing, marking its engagement in a growing global conversation around artificial intelligence governance and national digital sovereignty. The launch brought together representatives from China, Brazil, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Kazakhstan, reflecting a diverse coalition of countries exploring shared approaches to AI development.
The white paper introduces the concept of sovereign AI, emphasising the importance of national control over artificial intelligence systems, data, and digital infrastructure. At the same time, it highlights the need for international collaboration in areas such as technological advancement, deployment strategies, and governance frameworks.
During the event, Zhang Peng, CEO of Zhipu AI, described sovereign AI as an increasingly critical national capability. He noted its growing relevance to economic transformation, national security, and a country’s influence in shaping global AI governance standards.
Khan Muhammad Wazir, technology affairs counselor at the Pakistani Embassy in China, represented Pakistan at the launch ceremony. In an interview following the event, he emphasised that sovereign AI is a key issue for all nations and highlighted Pakistan’s interest in engaging with emerging international platforms focused on AI collaboration.
Wazir stated that Pakistan sees significant value in building partnerships, particularly with Chinese companies and global stakeholders, to benefit from shared expertise and technological resources. He underscored the country’s willingness to participate actively in alliances that support innovation and knowledge exchange.
He further noted that broader cooperation between Pakistan and China in science and technology is expanding steadily. In addition to government-level initiatives, the private sector is playing an increasingly important role in driving collaboration across fields such as agriculture, education, and advanced technologies.
The concept of sovereign AI is gaining traction worldwide as governments seek to reduce dependence on foreign technologies, especially in sectors involving public services, sensitive data, and critical infrastructure. For countries like Pakistan, the discussion goes beyond security concerns to include the localisation of AI tools—ensuring they are adaptable to local languages, regulatory environments, and development priorities.
Pakistan’s participation in the initiative signals its intent to remain engaged in shaping the future of AI, while leveraging international cooperation to strengthen its technological capabilities and digital ecosystem.