LAHORE: (Tuesday, October 27, 2026): Advisor to the Chief Minister of Punjab on AI and Special Initiatives Mr. Ali Dar has said that further efforts are needed to ensure the careful and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) and to adapt to emerging technologies. He was addressing a ceremony organized by Punjab University Department of Digital Media in connection with UNESCO’s Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week here on Tuesday. The event was attended by PU VC Prof Dr. Muhammad Ali, PILDAT President Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, senior journalists Sohail Warraich and Muzammil Suharwardy, Chairperson Department of Digital Media Prof Dr. Savera Shami, faculty members and a large number of students. In his address, Ali Dar said that artificial intelligence was affecting every walk of life, making it essential for people to learn about and understand the technology. He said the Punjab government was taking steps to benefit from emerging technologies. He added that new technologies took time to gain acceptance in any era. He observed that AI offered convenience and opportunities but also brought challenges. As human beings, he emphasized, people must uphold ethical standards in their use of all forms of media. PU VC Prof Dr. Muhammad Ali said digital media had become highly important in the present era and that universities must play an active role in producing responsible journalists. He said graduates should be responsible citizens who were skilled, principled, ethical, and familiar with modern technologies. He added that working on artificial intelligence and new energy technologies was essential for the country's progress. He praised Prof Dr. Savera Shami for organizing a ceremony on such an important topic. Sohail Warraich said technology made life easier and that learning it quickly could help people achieve progress. He welcomed activities aimed at narrowing the gap between students and society, adding that appropriate laws were necessary to ensure the positive use of technology. Muzammil Suharwardy advised people not to share social media posts without verifying their authenticity. He said posts containing misinformation could have serious and harmful consequences for people's lives. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob said that upcoming elections and democracy would face challenges arising from AI. He noted that every technology brought both benefits and disadvantages. Prof Dr. Savera Shami stressed the urgent need for media and information literacy in the modern era and said it should be incorporated into educational curricula. She also called for media literacy education at the school level to counter fake news and emphasized the need for caution when exercising freedom of expression. On the occasion, poster competitions were held among students. Those who achieved outstanding results received certificates of appreciation and cash prizes.