Concerns raised over increasing AI use in Afghanistan

The increase in Artificial Intelligence (AI) use in various sectors has sparked growing concerns among students, educators and media professionals in Afghanistan, who have called for “responsible use” of its technologies.

While AI is widely praised for its efficiency, innovation and ability to simplify complex tasks, experts warn that its integration could lead to economic, ethical, and social issues.

In Herat, young people have expressed concern about the potential negative impacts of AI being used both personally and in work settings.

*Fatima, 19, a computer science student, expressed her apprehension about job displacement in her country. 

She said: “Automation is advancing at an unprecedented pace. Many jobs that were traditionally done by humans are now at risk, such as data entry, translation, customer support and even teaching. This could lead to potentially widespread unemployment in Afghanistan in the near future, especially among youth who are just beginning their careers.”

Fatima also shared that many of her classmates are reconsidering their career choices due to uncertainty about the future job market.

And AI is being blamed for “fostering dependence on technology” and reducing creativity and critical thinking among the youth by “discouraging them from reading, researching or exploring new ideas on their own.”

Sara, 28, a graduate journalism student, added: “When students use AI for everything, from writing essays to generating ideas, they stop thinking critically.

“This weakens creativity, problem-solving ability, and independence. Over time, it can make an entire generation dependent on technology rather than their own minds.”

Other concerns raised include the spread of misinformation. University lecturer Mohammad Reza highlighted the need for universities to introduce courses on AI ethics and digital literacy to prepare students for “responsible use” of emerging technologies.

He said: “AI can easily be misused to generate fake news, deepfakes, and propaganda. Such practices can mislead the public, weaken journalism, and damage trust in the media.”

Elsewhere in Kabul, a journalist, who asked to remain anonymous, warned about the lack of emotion in AI-generated content. He said: “AI lacks empathy and moral judgment. “If media organisations rely solely on machines, we risk losing the human touch – truth, responsibility, and compassion, that define ethical journalism.”

The journalist urged Afghan media outlets to use AI only as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for human editors and reporters.

*Some names have been changed for safety reasons.

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Written by:
Naderah
Edited by:
Sarah Hussain