ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication was questioned by a Senate standing committee on Thursday regarding its alleged cooperation with a public institution and a mobile service provider in a project that seeks to create an indigenous Large Language Model (LLM).
To be able to provide responses based on the input prompt, LLMs are trained on vast amounts of data. They serve as the foundation for generative AI programs like DeepSeek and ChatGPT.
Pakistan’s first LLM was created by the IT ministry in partnership with Jazz and the National University of Sciences and Technology.
Concern was raised at the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunication meeting, which was chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, about the ministry’s apparent exclusion of other competent participants from academia and business.
Taking the lead n questioning ministry officials was Senator Humayun Mohmand. He questioned, “Why weren’t technical universities and other telecom companies invited to participate?”
In response to the criticism, the IT secretary explained that Jazz and NUST had independently started the project and were funding it themselves, rather than being officially chosen.
“There is no use of public funds”, he informed the committee.
However, in order to encourage open engagement from other stakeholders, Senator Mohmand suggested that the opportunity be publicly promoted. The Secretary agreed, noting that institutions across were now being asked to show interest.
In their presentation to the committee, Jazz representatives defended their participation in the project by highlighting the fact that several of Pakistan’s indigenous languages are in danger of going extinct. Although they acknowledged that gathering data is still a major challenge, they stated that the LLM program was designed to preserve the nation’s rich linguistic legacy.
After being cross-questioned by parliamentarians, the Jazz delegation subsequently exited the meeting.
Given its affiliation with the government, Senator Mohmand also voiced concern that the mobile company would have an unfair edge in the market.
The IT secretary acknowledged these worries and gave the committee the assurance that open engagement and transparency will be guaranteed for all parties involved in future projects.
AI regulation bill
The committee also deliberated in-depth on Senator Afnan Ullah Khan’s proposed “Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill, 2024.”
In light of the expanding use of intelligent technologies worldwide, the legislation aims to create a moral and legal foundation for AI development in Pakistan. Committee members emphasized how urgently such legislation is needed to guarantee the safe and responsible deployment of AI.
The ministry also disclosed that the goal of expediting work in four high-priority areas-quantum computing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity – has been given to a recently created Emerging Technology Wing.
Senator Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee asked about the financial viability of these initiatives, and the IT secretary responded that Rs16 billion had been set out for them under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for FY2024-2025.
During the conference, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency also briefed participants on a nationwide crackdown on unlawful call centers.
The committee was notified that Islamabad emerged as the hotspot after 54 call centers were searched and 254 people were arrested.
SOURCE: DAWN NEWS
