PDA, UNU sign MoU at ‘Indus AI Week 2026’ to accelerate ‘Project GovAI’

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA) and the United Nations University (UNU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Indus AI Week 2026 to accelerate Project GovAI, a Digital Micro-Learning & Upskilling Program for Civil/Public Servants.

Coordinated by UNU-EGOV, the collaboration will draw on experts across the UNU system, including UNU-IAS (Tokyo, Japan), UNU-MERIT (Maastricht, the Netherlands) and the UNU Institute in Macao, among others.

GovAI is designed to help enable the AI up-skilling of 1+ million Pakistani civil servants by 2028. This supports PDA’s leadership role in Pakistan’s five-year Digital Master Plan by focusing on the capability layer needed to deliver modern, trusted digital public services. The MoU establishes a time-bound discovery and testing phase to assess learning design, curriculum architecture and platform options; run early pilots (micro-trainings, webinars and e-learning) to validate localisation, engagement and measurement; and produce an evidence-based decision package and sustainability model for potential scale-up.

The partnership reflects the global economic stakes of digital and AI transformation. The IMF notes AI could “jumpstart productivity” and boost growth, while major analyses estimate generative AI could add US$ 2.6 – US$ 4.4 trillion annually in economic value and potentially lift global GDP by around 7% over time.

Over time, PDA and UNU will explore whether GovAI can evolve into a reusable and sustainable national and global digital public good, including modular learning pathways, implementation playbooks and governance approaches that other countries can adapt for responsible AI capacity building in government.

Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal Minister for Information Technology & Telecommunication (MoITT) Pakistan, said: “AI is a national priority for Pakistan, and we will use it to make government services faster, simpler and fairer for everyone. With this MoU between Pakistan Digital Authority and the United Nations University, GovAI will build practical skills across the public sector so we can cut bureaucracy, make it easier to do business, and widen access to services for all citizens. This is how we accelerate inclusive growth and deliver a future-ready Digital Nation Pakistan under the vision of the Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan.”

Mohammad J Sear, Vice Chairperson PDA, said: “Digital transformation is moving faster than ever. GovAI will help ensure our civil service has the practical AI skills and governance capability needed to deliver the Digital Master Plan and improve services for people and businesses across Pakistan.”

Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University, said: “AI is reshaping development pathways. Building public sector capacity to use AI responsibly is essential to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, the Global Digital Compact and strengthening global cooperation for sustainable development.”

Delfina Soares, Director of UNU-EGOV, added: “Sustainable and inclusive transformation depends on governance and capacity, not technology alone. GovAI will focus on the skills, institutional practices and trust foundations that turn AI into measurable public value and socio-economic progress.”

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026