Dr. Hasnain Walji Addresses the IBA Community on AI, Wisdom, and the Human Heart

December 04, 2025: The School of Mathematics and Computer Science (SMCS), IBA Karachi, had the honor of hosting Dr. Hasnain Walji, Director of the Jaffer Family Foundation, for a deeply insightful and thought-provoking session titled “AI Has a Mind. Do We Still Have a Heart?” The event brought together students, faculty, staff, and leadership from across the Institute of Business Administration, fostering a powerful conversation at the intersection of technology, ethics, and humanity.

In his talk, Dr. Walji explored the increasingly important question of whether rapid advancements in artificial intelligence are beginning to outpace human wisdom. He drew compelling parallels between Al-Khwarizmi’s early contributions to algorithms, which strengthened societies, and Oppenheimer’s creation of the atomic bomb, which changed the course of history. Through this contrast, he emphasized that while AI can process information at extraordinary speed, the qualities of intention, empathy, conscience, and moral reasoning remain uniquely human. Machines may replicate patterns and provide answers, but only humans can apply wisdom to guide ethical decision-making.

Dr. Walji urged the audience to recognize that AI itself is not a threat; rather, the real responsibility lies in the choices we make while using it. As technology continues to evolve, he encouraged the IBA community to prioritize compassion, justice, and thoughtful leadership, ensuring that innovation supports humanity rather than replacing its most essential values.

Following the session, Dr. Walji was given an exclusive walkthrough of the architectural model of the upcoming Data Science Center at IBA. He was accompanied by Dr. Shakeel Khoja, Dean and Professor, SMCS, Malahat Awan, Director, Alumni Relations, Resource Mobilization & Corporate Relations, Dr. S Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director, IBA and representatives from the Jaffer Family Foundation.

Dr. Khoja briefed the visitors on the vision, interior layout, and planned functionalities of the Data Science Center, a state-of-the-art facility that will support interdisciplinary research, advanced computing, and innovative teaching in data-driven fields. The visit allowed Dr. Walji to engage in meaningful conversations about the future of data science, research capacity building, and the role of ethical leadership in shaping technology ecosystems.