woman work
In an era where technology defines global leadership, Mehwish Salman Ali is reshaping Pakistan’s place in the world of AI, cyber security, and digital transformation. As a Forbes Technology Council member, she represents the country at an elite level, influencing C-suite executives and policymakers. Her selection for this elite community is a milestone, proving that Pakistan’s expertise in emerging technologies is not just evolving but making waves on the global stage.
A visionary leader, Mehwish has shattered barriers by establishing Pakistan’s first women-led solar powered data centre. In an industry historically dominated by men, her initiative in launching Data Vault is a technological and cultural breakthrough, combining sustainability, security, and innovation to provide a green, future-ready infrastructure for enterprises. Her leadership in this space is setting a precedent for how data sovereignty and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
Beyond infrastructure, Mehwish is driving the next wave of AI innovation, actively leading agentic and generative AI projects that push the boundaries of automation, intelligence, and enterprise security. Her work seeks to position Pakistan as a leader in AI-driven transformation, ensuring that local expertise contributes meaningfully to the global evolution of artificial intelligence.
In addition to building technology, she is mentoring, investing, and judging in the start-up ecosystem, helping founders scale disruptive ideas and bridge the gap between innovation and execution. Through ‘SheEarns’, Mehwish is empowering women by addressing gender and skill gaps, while ensuring financial sustainability and inclusion. ‘SheEarns’ aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering economic independence for women, creating equal opportunities, and advocating for gender equity in the workforce. In an exclusive interview with You!, Mehwish shares her journey and vision with our readers…
My journey into tech wasn’t linear. It began with a deep frustration at seeing brilliant local talent and data exported abroad without creating value at home. That drove me to co-found Data Vault Pakistan, the country’s first AI-dedicated data centre, and later ‘Zahanat AI’, where we’re building sovereign AI tools that understand our languages, culture, and context.
What drives me is simple: impact with integrity. I believe that if we don’t take charge of our digital narrative, someone else will. I’m obsessed with building ecosystems that empower people - especially women - and create long-term economic value through technology.
You’ve recently been appointed President of the USA Chapter of CxO Global Forum. What does this mean for Pakistan’s presence in the global tech leadership space?
It’s a powerful step forward. Being appointed as President of the USA Chapter is not just a personal honour, it’s a statement of intent. It shows that Pakistan is participating in important global tech conversations. This role allows us to build strategic bridges between Pakistan and innovation hubs like Silicon Valley, New York, Dubai, and Riyadh. It’s about creating pathways for Pakistani tech founders, AI researchers, and digital policymakers to access global capital, mentorship, and influence. The future is interconnected, and Pakistan must be at the table, not waiting for a seat.
With $10 million secured to scale Pakistan’s AI ecosystem, what are your top priorities for transforming AI adoption in healthcare, education, and infrastructure?
This $10 million is more than just capital. It’s a catalyst for transforming both Pakistan’s AI landscape and our international footprint, particularly in the United States, where we’re expanding operations to build strategic bridges and tap into global AI research and commercialisation.
What core challenges have you faced as a South Asian woman in male-dominated industries, and how have you overcome them?
The challenges have been very real - from being underestimated in boardrooms to being the only woman at cyber security roundtables. But I’ve always believed that credibility is louder than doubt. I didn’t wait for permission. I built my own platforms, hired my own teams, and delivered results that spoke for themselves. I also surrounded myself with allies, both men and women, who believed in inclusive leadership. Most importantly, I’ve learned that soft doesn’t mean weak. You can lead with empathy, with strength, and still win in a competitive space.
How does your initiative ‘SheEarns’ fit into your larger mission of driving inclusive innovation, and what real-world impact have you seen so far?
‘SheEarns’ is close to my heart. It’s a movement to unlock the earning potential of women through digital skills, AI tools, and remote work opportunities.
We’ve witnessed incredible outcomes - from rural women earning their first income through voice AI micro-tasks to young mothers running e-commerce businesses from home. It’s creating economic agency in communities that were once invisible to the digital economy. This isn’t just about empowerment; it’s about equity.
How do you envision AI shaping grassroots impact in underserved regions?
AI must move beyond labs and into lives. At ‘Zahanat AI’, we’re working on voice bots that help farmers understand weather forecasts and market prices, in their own language, without needing to read.
We’re exploring predictive tools to support disaster resilience in flood-prone areas, and voice-enabled learning for out-of-school children. When done right, AI doesn’t replace people, it augments access and agency, especially where literacy or infrastructure gaps exist. The goal is to make AI feel local, trusted, and life-changing.
How do you balance visionary leadership with ground-level execution?
I believe vision without execution is just ambition. That’s why I spend as much time in data centres as I do in strategy rooms. I ask tough questions, study dashboards, and listen - not just to executives, but also to engineers, interns, and users.
At the same time, I protect thinking time to reflect, refocus, and recalibrate - because in our space, yesterday’s best practice can quickly become today’s bottleneck. To me, balance means being fully present in both strategy and the trenches.
In your view, what role should women tech leaders play in global digital policy-making, particularly in emerging markets?
Women in technology must move from being contributors to becoming architects of global digital policy - especially in emerging markets, where the stakes are highest and the opportunities are greatest.
We are entering an era where AI, data governance, and digital infrastructure will shape everything from national competitiveness to individual freedoms. Yet only 22 per cent of AI professionals globally are women (WEF, 2023). In policymaking circles, their presence is even thinner - particularly voices from the Global South.
McKinsey estimates that advancing gender parity in digital sectors could add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025. In South Asia alone, closing the digital gender gap could unlock $1 trillion in economic output over the next decade.
But beyond economics, women bring critical lived experiences to the table - perspectives often overlooked in policy debates. From addressing algorithmic bias in healthcare diagnostics to safeguarding girls in rural e-learning programmes, women understand the intersection of access, safety, affordability, and inclusion in ways that can build more resilient and equitable digital futures.
It is time for policy to catch up. That begins by ensuring more women are not just at the table, but with a pen in hand and the power to shape decisions that will define the digital age.
What advice would you give to young women in Pakistan who aspire to lead in tech, innovation, or entrepreneurship?
Start before you’re ready. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. The tech world rewards courage, not permission. Learn relentlessly, ask questions fearlessly, and build something, even if it’s small. Your background, accent, or gender is not a disadvantage, it’s your perspective, and the world needs it. Surround yourself with people who support you.
The writer is a freelance journalist based in Karachi. She can be reached at sara.amjhotmail.co.uk