‘Artificial intelligence may create job crisis’

LAHORE:A panel discussion on “Impacts of Artificial Intelligence” was held at Government College University (GCU) here on Tuesday in connection with World Philosophy Day celebrations.

GCU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi also participated in the panel discussion led by eminent writer Prof Mirza Athar Baig, Philosophy Department Chairperson Dr Sobia Tahir, distinguished professor Dr Mohammad Afzal Khan and software developer Ms Asma Kanwal.

Students from science as well as social sciences departments discussed the interesting and stimulating topic from social, economic, political and moral angles and its possible threats for human survival besides its numerous benefits. Prof Ather said that artificial intelligence was replacing human functions at an alarming rate and might cause a severe job crisis soon; its economic repercussion could be traumatizing. Prof Asghar Zaidi appreciated the services of philosophy in all fields of human knowledge. He said all the achievements in the human civilisation owed their existence to philosophy.

Dr Sobia Tahir said it was a beautiful coincidence that two great days i.e. World Philosophy Day and Human Rights Day were being celebrated together. Later, the Iqbal Academy Pakistan also organised a book fair on the university campus where students were given 50 per cent discount on books.

special persons: Punjab University (PU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmad has said that Allah has bestowed special abilities upon special persons and they must be encouraged in all spheres of life.

He was addressing a seminar in connection with International Day for Persons with Disabilities organised by PU Department of Special Education at Al Raazi Hall.

Akhwat Foundation Chairman Dr Amjad Saqib, Faculty of Education Dean Dr Abid Hussain Chudhary, faculty members and a large number of students attended the seminar.

Prof Niaz Ahmad said that PU was providing special facilities to special persons. He said PU had allocated quota for special students and free education, scholarships and free accommodation at hostels were being provided to them. He said, “We must not ignore the potential the special persons have.”

Dr Amjad Saqib said, “Special persons are the collective responsibility of society and we must take care of them.” He said “Humanity demand us to serve special persons and give them respect.”

OPC: The Punjab government is vigorously disposing of the cases of overseas Pakistanis who have submitted their complaints with the Overseas Pakistanis Commission (OPC), officials said.

The Lahore district administration is holding meetings of the district overseas committee regularly. According to a report issued by the district administration, it had held 19 meetings since July 10 in which 331 cases of overseas Pakistanis were heard by the members of the committee that includes Jahangir Bara, chairman, Deputy Commissioner Danish Afzal, additional deputy commissioners and police officers. Out of the 331 cases, 131 cases were disposed of after transparent and comprehensive hearings in the presence of all the parties concerned. Similarly, after proper and detailed inquiries, 24 FIRs were registered on the complaints of overseas Pakistanis. Jahangir Bara said that it was the top priority of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar’s regime in the province to address the complaints of overseas Pakistanis on a priority basis. It is good to see that Revenue Department staff is submitting its detailed reports within a short period of time, he added. DC Danish Afzal said that previously 20 cases were being heard in each meeting and now the number had been increased to 30 cases.