On July 16, 2026, Pakistan officially became one of the 29 founding members of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization in Shanghai, it meant more than just joining a new international AI group. It showed a bigger change in how the world works, with technology and digital innovation becoming major tools of influence, along with traditional military and economic power.
As the competition between the United States and China grows in different areas like AI, advanced technology, and digital governance, Pakistan is now dealing with a complicated geopolitical situation that will highly affect its future foreign policy.
Pakistan’s location and how it handles foreign relations have put it at the center of a more competitive global environment. In the past ten years, China has become Pakistan’s main partner in building infrastructure, improving digital connections, working on defense, and tech collaboration through projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its recent efforts in AI through World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO).
At the same time, the United States still plays a big role in Pakistan’s international relations through trade, security talks, educational exchanges, and its influence in international financial groups. These two major powers have both important roles in Pakistan’s foreign policy, showing that Pakistan’s interests are tied to staying in good shape with both, rather than choosing one over the other.
Pakistan’s decision to work more closely with China in AI should not be seen as a sudden change in its long-standing foreign policy. This ignores a trend that has guided Islamabad’s diplomacy for many years: adjusting to new situations while staying connected to multiple partners. Beijing has become a key player in Pakistan’s goals for infrastructure, connectivity, and tech cooperation.
However, this doesn’t mean the U.S.is any less important. The U.S. remains key in trade, education, private investment, and the global financial system. Seeing these relationships only through the lens of competition creates a false choice. What’s better for Pakistan is keeping options open rather than choosing one side over the other. With international politics now shaped more by overlapping partnerships than strict alliances, being flexible in diplomacy is not just a choice , it’s necessary.
This flexibility is especially important in AI, where technological leadership is a big part of geopolitical influence. For Pakistan, joining groups like WAICO should be seen as part of a broader effort to build its tech skills and work with other countries.
China’s growing knowledge in AI, digital systems, and industry innovation offers Pakistan chances to speed up its digital transformation, improve technical skills, and support long-term economic progress. However, these opportunities should be pursued in a way that supports Pakistan’s larger foreign policy goals. By working with tech-driven partners while keeping a varied and competitive global environment.
Against this background, working more with China in tech should not be seen as pulling back from Pakistan’s work with the United States. The U.S. continues to lead the global innovation scene with top universities, research centers, technology companies, and venture capital.
These help drive advances in AI. For Pakistan, working with U.S. institutions can boost its growing relationship with China by giving access to advanced research, academic programs, entrepreneurial support, and high-value investments. Rather than treating these relationships as conflicting, Pakistan can benefit from working with both countries on specific issues. This ensures that tech progress supports its long-term goals instead of just being about political choices.
The success of this balanced approach, however, depends on Pakistan’s ability to handle things at home. International partnerships can open up new tech, knowledge, and investments, but they can’t replace strong national systems and clear policies. To turn these partnerships into real gains, Pakistan must invest in digital infrastructure, improve AI education and research, update its rules, and get government, education, and private sectors to work together. Building tech skills locally will not only help Pakistan get the most from its partnerships with both China and the U.S., but also reduce its long-term reliance on outside help, making it a more confident and capable player in the global digital economy.
In the end, the real question for Pakistan is not whether it should work with China or the U.S., but whether it can make these partnerships into lasting national strength. As Artificial Intelligence changes economic power and global competition, countries stuck in choosing sides risk falling behind. Pakistan’s strength lies in maintaining good relations with both while staying focused on its own interests. With clear strategies, strong institutions, and consistent investment in homegrown innovation, this balanced approach can become a lasting advantage. In the age of AI, success will go to those who turn global competition into national opportunities. Pakistan’s future will be shaped not by the rivalries it faces but by the innovations it creates.
The views expressed in the article are solely belong to the author and it does not necessarily reflects the views of any organization.
The author is an intern at Cyber Security Program, Institute of Regional Studies, Islamabad.
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