KARACHI: Highlighting the transformative benefits of AI-based tools in mental health care, alongside their potential risks, speakers at a symposium on Thursday called for ethical, safe, inclusive and human-centred applications.
The event titled ‘Youth Mental Health & Responsible AI Innovation: Clinical Perspectives & Future Roadmaps’ was organised by the NED University of Engineering & Technology in collaboration with Sindh Mental Health Authority (SMHA) in connection with World Mental Health Day.
The event brought together academics, mental health professionals, technology experts, policymakers, civil society representatives and students to discuss the fast-changing intersection of youth mental health, AI, clinical care and responsible innovation.
Dr Tooba Farooqi of the Institute of Professional Psychology, Bahria University, delivered the opening speech, sharing key features of Pakistani and international studies on the subject.
Speakers highlight importance of bringing together experts and civil society to build future-ready approaches to young people’s mental health
She outlined the mental health challenges facing young people and examined both the promise and the risks of AI-based support. She stressed the importance of early identification, evidence-based care and clear referral pathways, with AI serving as a bridge to professional care rather than a replacement for it.
Prof Muhammad Abul Hasan of the NED University delivered an academic address highlighting the remarkable technological advancements being made at the NED University in AI-driven health solutions. These innovations included assistive technologies for people with disabilities in collaboration with the government of Sindh, creating AI-driven solutions like MindFoster for mental health and sleep support, digital cognitive assessment platforms and non-invasive neuro-feedback systems to enhance voluntary self-regulation, attention and stress management.
To empower individuals with physical and sensory disabilities, he shared, students had introduced smart mobility aids like WalkAid and sensor-equipped scanner sticks for the visually impaired, alongside adaptive laptop hardware and human-machine interfaces.
Additionally, he said, studies on the campus were actively investigating local digital health usage and the neuro-cognitive impact of AI models on human brain-wave dynamics.
Prof Washdev Kumar, head of the department of psychiatry at Dow University of Health Sciences, spoke on Generation Z, AI, youth mental health initiatives and strategic roadmaps for Sindh.
Clinical psychologist Muhammad Idrees at the Civil Hospital Karachi shared his personal and clinical perspectives from the field.
Later, a multidisciplinary panel discussion explored the need for multi-sectoral collaboration to promote youth well-being.
The panel comprised Prof Zainab Hussain Bhutto, Dean, Humanities & Social Sciences, DHA Suffa University; Prof Ilyas Jatt, Head of the Department of Psychiatry, SMBB Medical College Lyari; Prof Riaz Shaikh, SZABIST; Dr Batool Fatima, Aga Khan University; and Adeel Saeed Mir, Group Chief Strategy & Technology Officer, Alsons.
The panellists emphasised the importance of bringing together healthcare, academia, technology, education, government, industry and civil society to build sustainable, future-ready approaches to youth mental health.
SMHA Chairman Senator Dr Karim Ahmed Khawaja and NED University’s acting Vice Chancellor Prof Noman Ahmed also spoke.
Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2026
