The 3rd International Conference on Recent Advances in Computing, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Science concluded at Riphah International University Islamabad, bringing national and international experts together to discuss emerging trends in computing and artificial intelligence. CAIDS 2025 provided a hybrid platform that enabled both onsite and online participation, ensuring broad engagement from academia, industry and government across Pakistan and beyond.
The event was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Anis Ahmad, Vice Chancellor of Riphah International University, with Dr. Najeebullah Marwat from the Planning Commission and Dr. Muhammad Israr, Secretary Higher Education Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in attendance. In his address Prof. Dr. Anis Ahmad underlined the ethical use of artificial intelligence and the importance of nurturing youth with strong ethical and Islamic values to guide responsible technological progress.
Organised jointly by University of Science & Technology Bannu, Riphah International University Islamabad, University of Lakki Marwat, Gomal University, KIWI Bannu and Multimedia University Malaysia, CAIDS 2025 aimed to strengthen collaboration between academia, industry and government institutions with a focus on research-driven solutions relevant to Pakistan. Eight national and international universities took part, demonstrating a shared commitment to bolstering research culture and higher education.
Speakers highlighted the evolution of Pakistan’s IT sector and the need for stronger academia-industry linkages. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zubair of RIU pointed to advancements in software engineering and digital innovation, while keynote speakers including Prof. Dr. Muhammad Jahanzeb Khan, Dr. Aurang Zeb, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tahir Khalily, Prof. Dr. Ikram Ullah Khan, Prof. Dr. M. Sadiq Khattak and Mr. Zafarullah Khan Khattak discussed technology-driven educational strategies, sustainable development goals and the societal impact of artificial intelligence in Pakistan.
The conference received financial and technical backing from its organising partners and support from the Pakistan Science Foundation through a competitive grant for the project ‘Political Pulse: An Explainable AI-Based Deep Learning Platform for Detecting and Analyzing Multilingual Disinformation on Social Media’ (Project No. PSF-CRP/TUBITAK-IV/AI/KPK-GU (33)). Support from the Higher Education Commission is currently in process, and selected papers from CAIDS 2025 will be considered for publication in MMU Press journals subject to further peer review.
Dr. Muhammad Israr emphasised government commitment to expanding higher education in remote areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and improving digital infrastructure and research facilities to ensure equitable academic development. Following the conference, a high-level meeting at the office of Prof. Dr. Anis Ahmad brought together participating vice chancellors to focus on educational infrastructure and strategies for strengthening higher education in southern districts of the province.
Riphah International University reaffirmed its support for promoting education in the southern regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with particular emphasis on women’s education, highlighting the importance of collaborative initiatives to improve access, quality and sustainability of higher education. CAIDS 2025 underscored Pakistan’s growing role in advancing AI and data science research while prioritising ethical, inclusive and locally relevant solutions.
