Futures & AI Literacy: Preparing Pakistan’s Youth & Corporates – Dr. Salman Khatani

Introduction – My Worldview

We are in an age where change is constant. Futures Literacy (FL) — the skill of anticipating and shaping multiple futures — and AI Literacy (AIL) — the ability to use and understand Artificial Intelligence responsibly — are no longer optional.

As Pakistan’s leading futurist and founder of Fiker Futures Academy, I believe our country’s greatest resource is its youth. But without these literacies, we risk becoming passive consumers in the global economy rather than active shapers.

Global Importance of FL & AIL

• Futures Literacy: UNESCO calls it a “critical competency for the 21st century” for better policymaking and crisis readiness.
• AI Literacy: WEF predicts 97M new AI-related jobs by 2025; McKinsey estimates AI could add $13T to the global economy by 2030.

Nations like Finland, Singapore, and UAE have already integrated FL and AIL into schools, governance, and corporate strategy.

Pakistan’s Youth Skills Gap

• 64% of Pakistanis are under 30 (UNDP).
• 31% of educated youth are unemployed (PIDE).
• Less than 10% have any AI-related training.

FL could help youth envision long-term opportunities; AIL would enable them to participate in global digital markets.

Corporate Readiness Gaps

A 2024 FPCCI survey found:

• Only 18% of corporates have AI adoption plans.
• Few have foresight units to anticipate disruptions.
• Many industries remain reactive, relying on outdated strategies.

The Urdu Language Gap

Over 50% of Pakistanis prefer Urdu or regional languages for learning.

• Most FL and AIL materials are English-only.
• This widens the digital divide and limits participation outside urban elites.

Case Studies

• UAE: Ministry of AI + foresight-led policy.
• Finland: Free national AI course in multiple languages.
• Singapore: Annual corporate foresight scenarios.

Native Solutions for Pakistan

1. Bilingual Curriculums – FL & AIL in Urdu-English with local case studies.
2. Corporate Foresight Labs – Chambers of commerce-led units.
3. AI Upskilling Hubs – SME-focused, Urdu-first platforms.
4. Mass Awareness Campaigns – TV, radio, social media.
5. Policy Integration – National Skills Strategy to include FL & AIL KPIs.

Conclusion

If Pakistan wants to be a future-maker, not a future-taker, FL and AIL must be part of our core education, corporate culture, and policy.
By building them in our languages and for our realities, we can unlock our youth’s potential and prepare our corporates for a fast-changing world.

FAQ

Q1: What is Futures Literacy?
Futures Literacy is the ability to anticipate, imagine, and prepare for different possible futures, improving decision-making and adaptability.

Q2: What is AI Literacy?
AI Literacy means understanding AI tools, their uses, and their social and ethical impacts, enabling responsible adoption.

Q3: Why are FL & AIL important for Pakistan?
They prepare youth for global opportunities, help corporates stay competitive, and improve policy planning.

Q4: How can Pakistan promote these literacies?
Through bilingual curriculums, corporate foresight labs, AI training hubs, and public awareness campaigns.

Dr. Salman Khatani is Pakistan’s leading futurist, AI literacy advocate, and founder of Fiker Futures Academy — dedicated to building Future & AI skills in youth, corporates, and communities.

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Building Futures & AI Literacy for Pakistan’s Next Decade

Introduction – My Vision for FL & AIL

In my view, the next decade will test Pakistan’s adaptability like never before. Our geopolitical position, youthful population, and growing digital economy offer immense potential — but also expose us to rapid shifts in technology, climate, and global trade.

To meet these challenges, Futures Literacy and AI Literacy must evolve from niche concepts into everyday skills. FL will give us the foresight to anticipate and shape change. AIL will provide the tools to execute our visions using the most transformative technology of our time. Together, they can empower Pakistan’s youth, corporates, and policymakers to act with confidence in uncertainty.

Global Momentum – How the World is Moving Ahead

• UNESCO’s Futures Literacy Labs have already been run in over 40 countries, embedding foresight into education and governance.
• AI Upskilling Initiatives like Finland’s “Elements of AI” course have trained over 1% of the country’s population, in multiple languages.
• World Economic Forum data suggests countries with strong AI readiness enjoy up to 20% faster GDP growth in digital sectors.

Pakistan cannot afford to lag while others are building these capabilities into their national strategies.

Pakistan’s Current Standing

• Youth Potential: 64% of the population is under 30, but only 8% have any formal digital training (UNDP).
• Corporate AI Adoption: Less than 1 in 5 corporates use AI tools beyond basic analytics (FPCCI, 2024).
• Policy Engagement: Futures thinking is absent from most public-sector strategic plans.
• Language Accessibility: Over 50% of citizens lack proficiency in English, limiting access to global FL and AIL resources.

This gap is not just a skills problem — it is a strategic vulnerability.

Economic Stakes – Why This Matters Now

McKinsey projects that AI could add $500 billion to Asia’s GDP by 2030. If Pakistan captures even 1% of that market, it could add $5 billion to our economy annually.

Similarly, research from the OECD shows that foresight-led policy planning can improve long-term economic outcomes by up to 15%, through better anticipation of risks and opportunities.

Language & Access Barriers

Most FL and AIL content in Pakistan is imported, English-heavy, and culturally irrelevant. Without localized, bilingual resources, these literacies will remain limited to urban elites — widening the digital divide.

We need Urdu-first and regionally contextualized learning tools to democratize access.

Best Practices from Other Nations

• Singapore: National foresight exercises involving both public and corporate sectors.
• UAE: AI strategy linked to education reform and workforce reskilling.
• India: Government-supported AI skilling program targeting rural youth in local languages.

Each example shows that integration and localization are the keys to success.

Native Implementation Plan for Pakistan

1. Education Sector

• Integrate FL and AIL into school and university curricula.
• Develop Urdu-English hybrid textbooks with real-world case studies from Pakistan.
• Train teachers through AI-assisted professional development.

2. Corporate Sector

• Create Foresight & AI Innovation Units in top 50 companies.
• Offer tax incentives for AI adoption and workforce reskilling.
• Partner with chambers of commerce for industry-specific AI bootcamps.

3. Public Sector & Policy

• Establish a National Futures & AI Council to guide integration.
• Use foresight methods in policy planning for climate, health, and trade.
• Make all government AI projects bilingual by default.

4. Community Outreach

• Launch a “Future in Urdu” media campaign to raise awareness.
• Set up mobile AI & FL learning labs in rural districts.
• Collaborate with influencers to promote AI safety and foresight culture.

Conclusion – The Next Decade is Ours to Shape

If Pakistan invests in both Futures Literacy and AI Literacy today, we can transform our youthful population into a globally competitive workforce and our businesses into resilient, future-ready enterprises.

But this requires commitment: from policymakers to educators, from corporate leaders to community organizers. The choice is clear — either we shape the future, or the future shapes us.

By building these literacies in our own languages, reflecting our own realities, Pakistan can claim its place as a proactive shaper of the next decade.