China's DeepSeek hailed as industrial game-changer at Islamabad summit

ISLAMABAD, Apr 18 (Gwadar Pro) - Business leaders highlighted China's distinct approach to artificial intelligence (AI), particularly DeepSeek, during a session at the Leaders In Islamabad Business Summit (LIIBS) 2025 on Thursday.

The session, titled "The Digital Future" and themed "Navigating the Unknown," brought together experts from Pakistan and other countries.

Participants noted that while global AI discussion often focuses on applications like chatbots or content generation, China is strategically focusing DeepSeek on industrial and infrastructure uses, including manufacturing, logistics, energy management, and smart city development.

The international panel praised this strategic shift, emphasizing that DeepSeek embodies a broader vision of AI moving beyond consumer interactions to reshape core industries and productivity.

Speaking at the summit, Maz Hussain, Partner and Digital Lighthouse Leader at KPMG Saudi Arabia, said, "In contrast to many Western AI efforts that center on enhancing user experience and digital creativity, China's model is seen as a long-term investment in real-world problem-solving and national competitiveness."

Hussain emphasized that China’s DeepSeek initiative represents a "revolutionary shift" in AI, calling it a "game-changing development" that redefines how AI is conceived and applied, especially in industrial contexts. He added that China’s strategic focus on using DeepSeek for real-world innovation and efficiency distinguishes it from Western counterparts often targeting consumer engagement with generative AI.

Over two days, LIIBS 2025 hosted more than 50 international speakers and over 1,000 delegates from public and private sector industries.