Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, has announced that the final draft of Pakistan’s AI policy is set to be presented to the Federal Cabinet for approval in August. Speaking at a meeting of the Special Task Force on AI, he highlighted the critical role AI plays in advancing various sectors.
Professor Iqbal stressed that AI is not just a future prospect but a current reality crucial for progress. He pointed to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government’s initiatives, including the establishment of the National Center for Artificial Intelligence in 2017 and the National Task Force on AI in 2023, as pivotal steps in positioning Pakistan at the forefront of AI innovation.
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Key Developments in Pakistan’s AI Strategy
The minister noted the importance of the National Centers for Excellence in Advanced Technologies, which are connected to engineering labs at numerous universities, for driving progress. He also acknowledged past policy inconsistencies that have hindered economic growth and damaged national self-confidence. During PM Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to China, an agreement was signed to provide IT training to 200,000 Pakistani youths, equipping them with essential skills. Professor Iqbal emphasized the need for Pakistan to stay competitive with global AI advancements and address challenges like visa restrictions for technology education.
In addition, Professor Iqbal called for the AI task force’s recommendations to be shared with provincial authorities and expressed optimism about AI’s potential to revolutionize health, education, finance, and agriculture. A National Conference on Artificial Intelligence is expected to be organized soon, inviting experts to contribute to Pakistan’s AI development. He envisions Pakistan becoming a global IT and information powerhouse and questioned why Pakistani youth have not yet created successful platforms like Facebook or Twitter.
As the AI policy nears approval, Pakistan aims to leverage AI for national growth and innovation, aspiring to secure a brighter future for its citizens. Whether these ambitions will be realized remains to be seen.
