New mode of warfare

DeepSeek, an AI model introduced by China, is being hailed as a game-changer in the artificial intelligence (AI) space, posing a significant challenge to US supremacy in the AI field. Combating the challenge of the ban imposed by Washington, China has managed to create AI models at a fraction of the cost incurred by US tech giants, including OpenAI and Meta Platforms.

Although DeepSeek has been launched on the arrival of the Chinese Lunar New Year, Western media is reporting that China deliberately selected January 20, when the newly elected US President Donald Trump took the oath of office. Interestingly, Trump wants to transform the US into an invincible force in artificial intelligence technology during his term in office, whereas Chinese President Xi Jinping is also determined to see China as a superpower in the field of artificial intelligence.

The recent competition reminded me of the cold-war era, when the US and the Soviet Union, competing on all fronts, had also started the conquest of space. At that time, it was a general perception that whichever of the two combatant superpowers would be ahead to set foot on the moon would have the right to achieve the status of a superpower. However, today in the 21st century, the Soviet Union no longer exists on the world map, but China has emerged as a competitor to the US, ready to give a tough time to the US on every front.

It is being claimed that China has achieved this great success with the help of local resources and scientists who graduated from its own universities. DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng studied artificial intelligence at Zhejiang University, while his team of 140 highly skilled people was also educated at local universities in China.

In Pakistan, the significance of artificial intelligence has been acknowledged for the past few years. The government has established institutions like the National Center for Artificial Intelligence, whereas different professional courses and degree programs related to artificial intelligence are being offered in various higher educational institutions to develop a skilled workforce in AI.

However, the biggest hurdle in Pakistan is the lack of high-quality research and investment in the field of AI. Our higher educational institutions are certainly offering degrees in artificial intelligence, but their availability is limited, which makes it difficult for students to acquire the necessary skills.

Another major challenge is brain drain, due to which many Pakistani professionals prefer to migrate to other countries in search of better career opportunities. Moreover, various technical issues including computing power, data storage and most importantly internet shutdowns are hindering the development of AI in our country, due to which we have not yet been able to bring about any significant progress in this highly demanding field.

Similarly, concerns about artificial intelligence are also common in Pakistani circles. Some people believe that due to the adoption of AI, many human-operated jobs will be eliminated, while some believe that absolute reliance on artificial intelligence will have negative effects on human intelligence.

I believe that the 21st century is the century of technology and ideas. The secret to the success of the present era is the better practice of artificial intelligence efficiently and effectively. On September 20, 2024, my column titled: 'War of technology' was published in these pages, in which I emphasised that the battlefield of the 21st century is equipped with cyber expertise, artificial intelligence and digital technologies.

In the context of the current global scenario, I am committed to establishing a world-class university in Premnagar, Tharparkar that will provide a highly skilled workforce of AI professionals who will not only play a positive role in the development and prosperity of Pakistan but also represent our beloved country globally.

The writer is a member of the National Assembly and patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council. He tweets/posts @RVankwani