Pakistan Launches National AI Development Project

The federal government has rolled out a pioneering National AI Development Project that mobilizes twelve specialized working groups, each targeting a key sector health, education, agriculture, climate, business, governance, and more. Spearheaded by the National Taskforce on Artificial Intelligence, chaired by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, this initiative brings together stakeholders from the public sector, academia, and private industry. The primary aim is to craft a detailed roadmap for each sector, complete with defined objectives, timelines, and resource strategies.

A cornerstone of the initiative is the establishment of a National AI Fund designed to finance promising pilot projects and innovative applications across Pakistan. In conjunction with this, the government plans to map the country’s existing AI capacity covering universities, research institutions, and tech firms to identify gaps and better direct investments and talent toward priority areas.

Additionally, the government is expanding its infrastructure for emerging technologies. This includes the launch of nine Centers of Excellence in cutting-edge fields such as AI and quantum computing, along with the Quantum Valley Pakistan project. A National AI Workshop is also in the works, in partnership with industry players like Pakistan IT Industry Association (P@SHA), aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation in Pakistan’s growing AI ecosystem.