Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Monday that the government will invest one billion dollars in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) by 2030.
According to sources, while addressing the opening ceremony of Indus AI Week in Islamabad, the Prime Minister said this investment will play a key role in building Pakistan’s AI ecosystem. He stated that an AI curriculum will be introduced not only in all federally administered schools but also across Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, and most parts of Balochistan to prepare youth for leadership roles and the digital economy.
Sources said the Prime Minister also announced that by 2030 the government will offer 1,000 fully funded PhD scholarships in AI to young people across the country, aimed at establishing world class research centers. He added that a national level program will be launched to train one million non IT professionals in AI skills, which will increase productivity and improve employment opportunities.
Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that Pakistan is fully prepared to move forward alongside the world in the field of AI and will prove to be a strong partner in this sector. He said special programs will be introduced to transform young people from IT technicians into AI experts. He expressed hope that Indus AI Week will bring a major transformation to Pakistan’s technology landscape and prove to be a game changer.
Speaking at the event, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan will not only build its identity in emerging technologies but will also take a leadership role. He stated that new national centers are being established this year in areas including quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, and nanotechnology. He added that the Quantum Valley project will serve as a model for a comprehensive innovation ecosystem, featuring four dedicated science parks for emerging technologies, minerals, agri tech, and biosciences.
Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima said Pakistan aims to promote AI in a way that aligns with national priorities, values, and aspirations. She added that practical implementation of the National AI Policy, introduced in September this year, will begin soon.
