Pakistani-Origin Mehwish Salman Ali has been selected as a member of the Forbes Technology Council. She is the only female IT expert and the fourth technology expert in the prestigious think tank to be listed as Pakistani. As a Forbes Technology Council member, she represents the country at an elite level, influencing C-suite executives and policymakers. Her selection for this elite community is a milestone, proving that Pakistan’s expertise in emerging technologies is evolving and making global waves.
Born and raised in Pakistan, she moved to the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She established Pakistan’s first women-led solar-powered data center, which had headquarters in Pakistan and offshore offices in different countries. She also founded a company, Data Vault, in Pakistan, which is both a technological and cultural breakthrough – combining sustainability, security, and innovation to provide a green, future-ready infrastructure for enterprises.
Beyond infrastructure, Mehwish is driving the next wave of AI innovation, actively working on agentic and generative AI projects that push the boundaries of automation, intelligence, and enterprise security.
Her work aims to position Pakistan as a leader in AI-driven transformation, ensuring that local expertise contributes to the global evolution of artificial intelligence.
In addition to building technology, she is mentoring, investing, and judging in the startup ecosystem, helping founders scale disruptive ideas and bridging the gap between innovation and execution. Her commitment to nurturing entrepreneurs and fostering AI-driven businesses is paving the way for Pakistan’s tech industry to evolve into a force of global influence.
Through SheEarns, Mehwish is empowering women by bridging gender and skill gaps, ensuring financial sustainability and inclusion. SheEarns aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering economic independence for women, creating equal opportunities, and advocating for gender equity in the workforce. As a judge, she evaluated 250 women-led startups and provided 100 selected women with free stalls at the SheEarns Expo, oVering them a platform to showcase their businesses. The event was attended by representatives from USAID, Turkish Crescent, Women Chamber of Commerce Pakistan, prominent politicians, and industry leaders, who celebrated this initiative. Featured in multiple newspapers, SheEarns is redefining women’s economic empowerment in Pakistan.
Mehwish also spoke to 4th Assembly of Digital Corporation Organization (DCO) in Jordan and announced her plan to set up AI Innovation Lab in Karachi.
