The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), a tool that enables computers to think like humans, make decisions, and even imitate human behaviors, has recently provided young people with an opportunity to harness their creativity and skills to shape a better future for themselves.
Salam Watandar has conducted a survey among 395 educated young people across Afghanistan to assess their awareness of AI. 74% of the survey participants said they are familiar with AI and its methods of use, while 26.4% stated they have no knowledge of AI.
Of the survey participants, 75.4% are male, and 24.6% are female. Among the young people familiar with AI, many have said they use this tool mainly for education, daily tasks, and entertainment. Of the participants, 41.4% said they use AI for education and capacity-building, 34.5% use it for academic, work, and entertainment purposes, and 15.6% use it only for work-related tasks; while 8.5% use AI solely for entertainment.
Ramin Niazi, a 23-year-old Kabul resident who uses AI to facilitate his studies, says that it helped him like a thesis advisor when writing his university dissertation. He adds, “I used tools like Microsoft Bing, Aithor and AI Summarizer for long articles and documents. AI has been very effective and useful in my personal life.”
In Afghanistan, where the unemployment rate is high and finding a job is the biggest concern for young people, AI has emerged as a promising solution.
15% of the young individuals in this report, believe that AI, by creating new job opportunities and simplifying work processes, can bring them economic benefits.
Halima Marufi, a 26-year-old Kabul resident working in graphic design and using AI to improve her work, says AI is a good assistant in her field. “Sometimes I only have general ideas. When I input them into AI, it helps me prepare initial designs that I can then work on. It also provides me with color options and suggested combinations that enhance the quality of my work.”
On the other hand, the provision of entertainment and recreational programs, another advantage of AI, has attracted many young people to this area.
Omar Ezadyar, a 22-year-old Kabul resident, says, “I love gaming, and the AI-generated games are very exciting. Although access to them can be a bit complicated, I use one or two of the tools. When I want to watch a movie, Netflix, with the help of AI, suggests films that completely match my taste.”
The use of AI by young people in Afghanistan is becoming increasingly prominent, but technology experts have expressed concerns about the lack of awareness regarding the proper use of AI among the youths.
Musa Mohammadi, a technology and IT expert, states: “The biggest concern is the lack of awareness about how to use AI, which poses a threat to privacy. Improper use of AI may expose young people to online bullying and cyberattacks.”
Qareeb Aryan, another technology and IT expert, highlights concerns such as dependence on technology, invasion of privacy, and the reduction of job opportunities for individuals due to the use of AI. “AI can bring challenges and threats. Young people might unknowingly share their personal information with AI tools. Improper use of AI can lead to reduced social interaction and excessive dependence on technology.”
Meanwhile, Rashed Sediqi, a sociologist says that the use of AI can profoundly affect the lifestyle and social relationships of young people, and excessive use can lead to laziness.
Mr. Sediqi, says, “In Afghanistan, even though this tool has not yet reached the majority, unfortunately, its users are not inclined to study or seek knowledge. They simply rely on AI for ready-made solutions, which impacts their lifestyle and leads to isolation.”
Qais Mohammadi, an expert on economic affairs, states that the introduction of AI into human life is a significant transformation in the economic sector, which can create more opportunities in human development, economic growth, and job creation. “Afghanistan can adapt to AI more quickly. AI should be used in all work, government, and production sectors, and in schools, universities, and other educational institutions because there are plenty of job opportunities in these fields.”
Despite this, officials from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology under the Islamic Emirate report that they are launching awareness programs and promoting the use of new technologies, including AI, in Kabul and other provinces.
Enayatullah Alokozai, spokesperson for the ministry, says, “To build capacity and raise awareness about technological advancements, educational centers throughout the country are operating under the ministry to inform students and enthusiasts about AI and technological tools.”
Artificial Intelligence (AI), one of the rapidly growing technological tools, is being utilized by scientists in various fields, especially healthcare.
