AI, Gender, and the Climate Crisis
What if far-right feminist movements, along with misinformation and TikTok influencers in a state of complete confusion and disorder, fuel and merge with power and innovations concerning issues like wars and natural disasters, and are regulated globally? For a generation like mine, which grew up watching messy old television, anything seems imaginable. The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked both excitement and concern across various sectors of society. While AI promises to revolutionize industries, improve efficiency, and solve complex problems, it also raises ethical, economic, and social questions that demand careful consideration. The integration of AI into daily life is no longer a futuristic concept but a present reality, influencing everything from healthcare to entertainment, education to employment. Pakistan’s National AI Policy 2025, approved by the federal cabinet last month and hailed as a digital breakthrough, has already made headlines. Our Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party recently used AI to generate speeches from their jailed leader. As AI systems become more sophisticated, the debate over their benefits and risks intensifies, with experts and policymakers grappling with how to harness their potential while mitigating unintended consequences.
One of the most significant advantages of AI lies in its ability to process vast amounts of data quickly and accurately. In healthcare, AI-powered diagnostics can detect diseases such as cancer at earlier stages than traditional methods, potentially saving countless lives. Machine learning algorithms analyze medical images with precision, reducing human error and enabling faster treatment decisions. Additionally, AI-driven research accelerates drug discovery, cutting down the time and cost associated with developing new medications. Beyond medicine, AI enhances productivity in industries like manufacturing, where predictive maintenance systems minimize downtime by forecasting equipment failures before they occur.
However, the widespread adoption of AI also brings challenges, particularly concerning employment. Automation threatens to displace millions of workers in sectors reliant on repetitive tasks, such as manufacturing, customer service, and transportation. While some argue that AI will create new job opportunities in tech-driven fields, others worry that the transition may leave many workers struggling to adapt. The potential for economic inequality to widen is a pressing concern, as those with access to AI education and resources may thrive while others are left behind. Policymakers face the difficult task of implementing retraining programs and social safety nets to support displaced workers in an increasingly automated economy.
While AI presents a global challenge, Pakistan grapples with a more immediate and deeply entrenched crisis: gender inequality. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025, Pakistan ranks last among 146 countries, making it the worst place for women in terms of gender parity. This alarming statistic reflects a society paralyzed by a toxic mix of feudalism, tribalism, unchecked capitalism, and religious authoritarianism. The result is a rigid class system where upward mobility is nearly impossible, and women—who make up 49% of the population—are condemned to perpetual struggle.
The denial of education is at the heart of this systemic oppression. While women legally have the right to education and employment, rural women are systematically deprived of both, confined to domestic roles under the guise of tradition and honor. Child marriages continue to plague minor girls. Women working in Pakistan’s hospitals say they face sexual harassment, violence, and verbal abuse. Urban women, though slightly more visible in the workforce, face workplace harassment, pay disparities, and a lack of childcare support. The government’s failure to enforce protective laws exacerbates these issues, leaving women vulnerable to exploitation.
The consequences are dire. Only 22% of Pakistani women participate in the labor force (World Bank, 2023), and the literacy rate for women stands at a dismal 45% compared to 70% for men (UNESCO, 2023). Gender-based violence remains rampant, with an estimated 1,000 honor killings per year (Human Rights Watch, 2023). These figures paint a bleak picture, but solutions exist. Democratizing education, enforcing anti-harassment laws, investing in childcare, and dismantling the caste-class patriarchy are critical steps toward progress. Without urgent reforms, Pakistan risks perpetuating a cycle of oppression that stifles half its population. In cities like Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore, women are not free from injustice; they face a different, yet equally troubling form of it. They encounter multiple challenges, often acknowledged but routinely ignored. In-laws are toxic just as husbands are, due to outdated and morally indefensible beliefs that a woman is inherently inferior because she was born from man. We are the daughters of educated men, yet we are not educated equally. These are not only historical fallacies but also shackles that keep half of the population from rising.
Amid these challenges, Pakistan is also witnessing a paradoxical relationship between technological advancement and regressive beliefs. Pitafi’s article highlights how, despite rapid technological progress—from fixed phone lines to 5G and AI—superstition and pseudoscience are on the rise. Elon Musk’s ventures into space colonization and AI-driven innovations offer hope for breakthroughs in food replication and disease eradication. Yet, the same era sees devastating floods, brutal wars, and the normalization of cruelty.
The rise of far-right movements, particularly those sponsored by India’s ruling elite, further complicates the global landscape. These groups exploit misinformation, fueling hyper-nationalism and deepening societal divides. The irony is stark: in an age of unprecedented scientific achievement, astrology and regressive ideologies gain traction. This duality underscores the need for ethical leadership, scientific literacy, and global cooperation to ensure technology serves humanity rather than exacerbating its flaws.
One area where Pakistan shows promise is in climate journalism. Major media houses now employ dedicated climate reporters, a role that barely existed a decade ago. While many of these journalists are young and lack institutional support, their work is crucial in a country vulnerable to climate disasters—floods, heatwaves, and water scarcity.
A Karachi-based university now offers environmental journalism as an elective, with students initially believing the field was limited to tree-planting campaigns. By the course’s end, their perspective shifts, recognizing climate journalism as a vital tool for policy influence and public awareness. This evolution in media reflects a growing recognition of environmental crises, though much work remains to ensure consistent, impactful reporting. Pakistan’s court orders have pushed platforms to block journalists’ channels critical of the government and state institutions. In March 2025, Farhan Malik was arrested by the FIA. A press freedom group condemned the censorship of Pakistani journalists. Pakistan remains one of the most dangerous countries for every field, especially journalism. To mandate journalism in media education, provinces can utilize the 18th constitutional amendment, which also prevents federal-level curriculum imposition.
Pakistan stands at a crossroads. AI offers transformative potential but demands ethical safeguards. Gender inequality remains a festering wound, requiring systemic reform. Meanwhile, the rise of climate journalism signals hope, proving that even in challenging environments, progress is possible. The caste-class patriarchy that governs institutions and perpetuates inequality must be challenged and dismantled. The path forward must balance innovation with equity. Investing in education, enforcing laws, promoting ethical technology, and amplifying marginalized voices are not just moral imperatives, they are necessities for survival. The chains of oppression and ignorance are not unbreakable; they are reinforced by apathy. Both genders have the fundamental right to live according to their desires. Now is the time for action, ensuring that progress benefits all, not just a privileged few.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance, policies, or official position of The Spine Times.
Quraitulain Qureshi
The author is a columnist and a CSS mentor.
