Pakistan to invest $1 billion in AI by 2030, announces PM Shehbaz
- Also announces 1,000 fully funded PhD scholarships in AI
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced to invest one billion dollars in Artificial Intelligence (AI) by 2030.
The development comes a day after Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim discussed investments and tech talent collaboration between Islamabad and Riyadh.
The Saudi Arabian minister highlighted the high-quality artificial intelligence and technology talent being produced by Pakistan, noting that it ranks among the top one or two globally.
He stated that Saudi Arabia is keen to leverage Pakistani tech talent to lead and support the technological transformation underway in the Kingdom.
Addressing the opening ceremony of Indus AI week in Islamabad, PM Shehbaz said this investment will go a long way in building AI ecosystem in our country.
“AI curriculum will be introduced not only in all federally controlled schools but also in AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan and the most parts of Balochistan to prepare the youth for leadership and digital economy,” he stated.
The premier also announced that the government will provide 1,000 fully funded PhD scholarships in AI to the youth all over the country by 2030 to build a world class research center.
PM Shehbaz said the government will launch a nationwide programme to train one million non IT professionals in AI skills, enabling them to enhance productivity and improve their livelihoods.
He emphasised that Pakistan is absolutely ready to join the world in the field of AI, emphasising Pakistan will be a great partner in this field.
READ MORE: Saudi Arabia eyes Pakistani talent to spearhead its technological transformation: minister
“We will bring programmes to transform our youth from IT technicians to AI experts,” he added.
Shehbaz expressed the confidence that the Indus AI week will not only change the technological landscape of Pakistan but will be nothing short of a game changer.
In his remarks on the occasion, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan will shape and lead in the field of emerging technologies.
He mentioned: “We are setting up new national centres including on quantum computing, new manufacturing and nano technology this year.”
He said our quantum valley project will be a model of holistic innovation ecosystem with four specialised science parks in emerging technologies, mines and minerals, agri tech and bio sciences.
Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima said Pakistan aims to shape AI in a way that it aligns with its priorities and reflects its values and aspirations. She mentioned that this year will mark the implementation of the AI policy that was launched in September last year.
Speaking at Pakistan’s first quantum computing hackathon launched under the aegis of PAEC in Islamabad on February 7, Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar said Pakistan was continuously advancing in the fields of science and technology.
The purpose of the hackathon was to create a conducive environment for quantum research in the country.
The PAEC chairman had said the young participants of the hackathon were the future scientific leaders of Pakistan. He had said Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission was investing heavily in human resources for national development.
He had said the youth would lead innovation and creativity in solving national issues.
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