Pakistan Launches Its First Locally Developed AI Chatbot – Zahanat AI

Pakistan has made a significant breakthrough in the technology sector with the beta launch of Zahanat AI, the country’s first locally developed AI chatbot. This innovative project is led by Mehwish Salman Ali, co-founder and CEO of Data Vault and Zahanat AI. The platform aims to provide culturally relevant and localized AI solutions tailored to Pakistan’s unique challenges.

Locally Hosted AI with Secure Infrastructure

Zahanat AI has been in development for several years and has been operating from a dedicated data center in Karachi since 2022. Unlike other AI models that process data on international servers, Zahanat AI ensures that all its data remains within Pakistan. The Karachi-based data center is equipped with high-speed internet and robust DDoS protection, ensuring a secure and efficient AI experience.

Cost-Effective Development with Mixed GPU Architecture

To keep development costs low, the team behind Zahanat AI utilized a mixed GPU architecture, combining Nvidia GPUs and specialized chips. Initially, used gaming GPUs were incorporated to build computational power, making the project more affordable. While the creators did not disclose the exact cost, they mentioned that Zahanat AI was developed for significantly less than the $5 million spent on DeepSeek AI.

AI Designed for Pakistan’s Unique Needs

Mehwish Salman Ali emphasized that Zahanat AI is designed to cater to the specific cultural and ethical requirements of Pakistan. The AI is trained on an extensive dataset containing 2 billion parameters, all stored and processed within the country. This ensures cultural awareness, relevance, and sensitivity in its responses.

A key feature of Zahanat AI is its focus on ethical and responsible AI development. The platform is programmed to censor sensitive topics and avoid discussions on certain individuals, ensuring a safe and regulated AI experience.

Beta Launch & Exclusive Access

Currently, Zahanat AI is in its beta testing phase and is available on an invitational basis. Interested users must submit their email, profession, work email, and social media accounts to request access. This selective rollout allows the team to gather valuable feedback and improve the platform before making it publicly available.

The successful launch of Zahanat AI marks a major milestone for Pakistan’s tech industry, setting the stage for more AI-driven innovations in the future.