AI FESTIVAL 2025
ADVANCING AI WITH SOCIETY AT THE CORE
10–11 May 2025 
Islamabad + Global Virtual Platform
WHERE PAKISTAN SHAPES THE FUTURE OF ETHICAL AI
Policymakers. Innovators. Youth leaders. Rural changemakers transforming lives through AI. Women leaders forging an equitable digital future. Tech pioneers crafting solutions for climate resilience, healthcare, and agriculture.
They’re all coming together at AI Festival 2025 —a groundbreaking convergence to ensure AI doesn’t just happen to Pakistan but is shaped by Pakistan for its people, environment, and future.
As the founding hub of the Global South AI Alliance , this is where grassroots innovation meets global expertise. It’s where challenges become opportunities for transformative, human-centric AI solutions that serve humanity—not just the privileged few.
Over three dynamic days at Gandhara Citizens Club—and via a global virtual platform—the festival will bridge policy, technology, and societal impact. From the Ministerial Roundtable to the Youth General Assembly , from the Women Leaders’ Summit to the Pakistani AI Innovation Expo , every session drives one bold vision: AI for all of humanity.
Join us in shaping tomorrow’s intelligence.
Act now—the future won’t wait.
OUR VISION
We believe AI can be a force for good. Unlike the global race for bigger, resource-heavy AI systems, Pakistan is pioneering a new path. We focus on:
Ethical AI
Frugal Innovation
Climate Resilience
This festival marks the launch of Pakistan’s national AI framework, a bold step toward redefining AI for humanity.
WHO WILL BE THERE?
FLAGSHIP PROGRAMS
Ministerial Roundtable & Policy Dialogues
Co-create a 12-month action plan for ethical AI governance.
AI Women Leaders’ Summit
Present your ideas to a global audience eager to embrace innovation
Future of Work Symposium
Addressing AI’s impact on vulnerable jobs through partnerships.
Pakistani AI Innovation Expo
Live demos from 50+ startups solving real-world challenges.
Global AI Diplomacy Forum
Establishing Pakistan as the Secretariat of the Global South AI Alliance.
AI Changemakers Networking Gala
Connect with 500+ leaders, investors, and UN delegates.
IMPACT NUMBER
VOICES OF AUTHORITY
Here is a first set of speakers and we will keep adding more in coming days. Stay tuned.
Dr. Safdar Ali Sohail
Executive Director, Social Protection Resource Centre
Dr. Safdar Ali Sohail is a former civil servant with over 39 years of experience in trade policy, civil service training, and international diplomacy. He most recently served as Dean of the National School of Public Policy, Lahore, and currently leads the Social Protection Resource Centre as Executive Director. A PhD in Sociology from Paris University X, he has authored key national policy frameworks and continues to teach and advocate for inclusive development and social protection in Pakistan.
Puruesh Chaudhary
President, AGAHI
Puruesh Chaudhary is an award-winning futures researcher, strategic narrative professional, and Founder of AGAHI. Recognized among the world’s top female futurists and honored as Pride of Pakistan, she won the Asia-Pacific Futures Network Award in 2022. A Harvard and Singularity University alumna, she advises global futures networks and teaches strategic communication at leading Pakistani institutions.
Ghulam Shabbir
Chief Operating Officer, The Urban Unit
Ghulam Shabbir is a leading expert in Organizational Development, Digital Transformation, Industry 4.0, and AI-driven strategy. He specializes in aligning technology systems with human-centric organizational design. With global experience across sectors like retail, aerospace, oil & gas, and education, he has led large-scale consulting projects for corporate, governmental, and development organizations.
Noman Waseem
CEO, Supreme Technocrafts Aviation Services
Noman Waseem is the CEO of Supreme Technocrafts Aviation Services, with deep expertise in project leadership, business development, and management consulting. He specializes in commercializing innovations, leading cross-functional teams, and executing high-impact projects across aviation, tech, and marketing sectors. With a focus on HR strategy, brand activation, and operational excellence, he brings a dynamic vision to corporate growth and transformation.
Imran Ali Sultan
Program Director, Punjab Affordable Housing Program
Imran Ali Sultan is the Program Director of the Punjab Affordable Housing Program and Chief Operating Officer at The Urban Unit, Government of Punjab. With over 20 years of experience in urban development and local governance, he has led major planning and infrastructure projects across Pakistan. An alumnus of LSE and GRIPS Tokyo, he specializes in sustainable city-making and institutional reform for urban resilience in the Global South.
Fatima Nadia Rehman
Award-Winning Arabic Calligraphy Artist
Fatima Nadia Rehman is an award-winning Arabic calligraphy artist based in Dubai, known for her work with royal families, global luxury brands, and top institutions like the Burj Khalifa. She holds a double master’s in Fine Arts and has pioneered inclusive calligraphy education in the UAE. Her art blends tradition with innovation, earning her recognition as one of Marie Claire’s inspirational women of the UAE.
WHY YOU CAN'T MISS THIS?
Defining the next era of AI
WHY PAKISTAN, WHY NOW?
STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE
Uniquely Positioned for AI Leadership
- Youth Power: 64% of population under 30 – a digital-native workforce ready to innovate
- Tech Momentum: Rapidly expanding ecosystem with 50+ AI startups
- Gateway Position: Strategic bridge between South Asia, Central Asia, and Middle East
URGENT IMPERATIVE
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
- Workforce Evolution: 40% of jobs AI-vulnerable – a catalyst for digital transformation
- Climate Action: Leading the way in AI solutions for environmental challenges
- Digital Access: Pioneering inclusive AI to bridge the rural-urban divide
- Economic Catalyst: Positioning AI as a driver of sustainable growth
EXPERIENCE OUR VISION
Explore the transformative intersection of artificial intelligence and creative storytelling in this thought-provoking keynote. Discover how AI is reshaping narrative creation, augmenting human creativity, and opening new frontiers in digital literature.
Dr. Jamil Asghar Jami, Director and Dean, Translation and Interpretation Department, NUML
OUR PARTNERS
