Tanweer Ahmed champions human-centred AI at UN you…

Tanweer Ahmed, a technology and artificial intelligence professional, has called for a human-centred approach to AI adoption, stressing that emerging technologies should support people rather than replace them.

Speaking at the Youth and AI Summit at United Nations Headquarters in New York on International Youth Day, Ahmed delivered a presentation titled “Keeping Humanity in AI Adoption.” He focused particularly on how nonprofit organisations can use artificial intelligence responsibly while protecting human judgment and accountability.

Ahmed said his professional background in technology consulting, data analytics and AI had given him experience in understanding the opportunities created by emerging technologies. However, he said his passion for the nonprofit sector was rooted in his earlier experiences working with communities and young people.

He recalled working on a community farm and participating in cultural education activities in Cuba during 2007 and 2008. In 2010, he travelled to South Africa, where he taught mathematics to fifth-grade students.

Ahmed said these experiences shaped his long-term desire to contribute to communities and help children around the world. He described his appearance at the UN event on International Youth Day as an honour and an opportunity to reconnect with those early aspirations.

During his presentation, Ahmed discussed the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and its increasing use by individuals, businesses and nonprofit organisations.

He explained that AI adoption should not simply mean occasionally using chatbots or other AI applications. Instead, organisations should strategically integrate AI into their daily workflows, operations and decision-making processes.

Ahmed highlighted several areas where nonprofits can use AI, including internal productivity, communication, fundraising, grant writing and administrative tasks.

He presented the Ugandan Water Project as an example of how AI can support a nonprofit organisation. The project works to improve access to clean water in Uganda and reduce the impact of waterborne diseases.

According to Ahmed, the organisation uses AI to assist with grant applications and donor outreach. Previous grant applications and organisational information can be analysed to help prepare targeted applications for new funding opportunities.

Ahmed stressed that AI-generated material is not simply submitted without human involvement. Staff review, edit and verify the content before applications are sent to funders.

He said AI had also helped the organisation identify new grant opportunities and improve internal processes, including contract drafting and project-management workflows.

Ahmed emphasised that the purpose of such technology should be to make employees more efficient rather than eliminate their jobs.

He also discussed AI-powered voice-to-text technology used in social work and community services. Such systems can allow workers to record information while they are in the field and transfer it into required software, reducing the amount of time spent on administrative duties.

Ahmed said reducing paperwork could give nonprofit workers more time to interact directly with the people and communities they serve.

However, he warned that AI adoption also presents challenges. These include financial costs, limited access to technology, concerns over job losses, inaccurate information, privacy issues, bias and difficulties in understanding cultural and linguistic nuances.

He also highlighted concerns about the environmental impact of the infrastructure required to operate increasingly powerful AI systems.

Ahmed urged organisations to develop responsible AI policies covering privacy, security, fairness, transparency, human oversight and accountability.

He encouraged nonprofit organisations to learn from one another and share successful experiences with AI, saying organisations working for social causes can benefit from cooperation rather than competing over technological approaches.

A key message of his presentation was that humans must remain responsible for AI-assisted decisions.

Ahmed warned organisations against blindly accepting AI-generated content and urged them to review outputs carefully, correct errors and ensure that technology does not replace human judgment.

Who is Tanweer Ahmed, the Pakistani-American philanthropist?

Pakistani-American businessman and philanthropist Tanweer Ahmed has attracted renewed attention in Pakistan following his reported $9 million contribution to the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and his recent appearance alongside senior Pakistani officials in the United States.

Ahmed, who is based in Houston, has built a diverse business portfolio in the United States while also becoming involved in philanthropy, education, healthcare and cricket.

His recent contribution to NUST is aimed at supporting talented students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. The endowment is expected to provide scholarships to deserving students each year, with a particular focus on fields such as artificial intelligence, information technology, science and other emerging technologies.

Ahmed has said his objective is to ensure that talented Pakistani students are not deprived of quality education because of financial difficulties. He has also expressed plans to expand similar scholarship initiatives to other educational institutions.

The businessman has also supported infrastructure and technology-related initiatives at NUST, including the development of facilities intended to strengthen research and innovation.

His philanthropic activities extend beyond education. Ahmed has been associated with healthcare initiatives in Pakistan and has supported efforts aimed at providing assistance to communities affected by natural disasters.

He also drew attention for his role in relief efforts following the devastating floods that struck Pakistan in 2022. He has been credited with helping mobilise substantial humanitarian assistance for flood-affected communities.

Ahmed’s business journey began after he moved to the United States as a student.

According to accounts of his career, he initially worked in restaurants and at gas stations while trying to establish himself. He later moved through several positions in the American fast-food industry.

His career accelerated after he joined Jack in the Box as a shift manager. His performance and business approach helped him move into senior management positions, eventually leading to opportunities in the Taco Bell franchise system.

Ahmed later expanded into franchising and developed a large portfolio of food outlets across several US states. His business interests have also extended into insurance, energy, transportation and other sectors.

Over the years, he has developed a reputation as an entrepreneur who combines commercial ventures with philanthropic activities.

Ahmed is also closely associated with the development of cricket in the United States.

A passionate cricket enthusiast, he established the Prairie View Cricket Complex near Houston after acquiring a large tract of land for the project.

The complex was developed to provide modern facilities for cricket and help expand the sport in a country traditionally dominated by baseball, American football and basketball.

Ahmed has also been linked with the Houston Hurricanes cricket franchise, further strengthening his involvement in the development of the sport in the US.

His investment in cricket reflects his interest in creating opportunities for players and communities that have traditionally lacked access to high-quality facilities.

Education remains one of Ahmed’s major areas of philanthropic interest.

Through his scholarship initiative, he has said he wants to help students from low-income families pursue advanced education and build careers in sectors expected to drive future economic growth.

The initiative places particular emphasis on technology-related disciplines, including AI and IT.

Ahmed’s stated approach is to make financial assistance available on merit, with priority given to students who have the ability to succeed academically but cannot afford the cost of quality education.

His growing involvement in education, healthcare, disaster relief and sports has made him a prominent Pakistani-American figure in philanthropic circles.

From working in restaurants after arriving in the United States to building businesses across multiple sectors, Ahmed’s career reflects a long transition from a modest beginning to entrepreneurship and investment.

His recent education initiative has once again placed his work in Pakistan under the spotlight, particularly at a time when universities and policymakers are seeking greater private-sector support for technology, innovation and scholarships.