Pakistan Approves First National AI Policy, Aims to Train 1M
ISLAMABAD – The federal cabinet, in a landmark session chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has officially approved Pakistan's first-ever National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy. This comprehensive framework, drafted by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, is a strategic roadmap designed to cultivate a robust, AI-driven economy and position Pakistan as a competitive player in the global technology landscape.
The policy's core ambition is to create a hybrid ecosystem that "embraces AI while enhancing human intelligence," ensuring the equitable, responsible, and transparent use of this transformative technology. A central pillar of this strategy is a massive human resource development plan, which aims to train one million individuals in AI and allied technologies by 2027 to bridge the nation's significant skills gap.
What is the National AI Policy? A Strategic Vision
The National AI Policy is Pakistan's first unified, high-level strategy to guide the development and adoption of artificial intelligence. It moves beyond a piecemeal approach and establishes a foundational framework for a complete AI-enabling ecosystem, covering everything from public awareness and skill development to data governance and ethical guidelines.
The policy acknowledges both the immense opportunities presented by the AI revolution and the critical need for a structured, responsible approach. It aims to leverage AI as a key growth driver while simultaneously building public trust and mitigating potential risks.
The Four Pillars: A Comprehensive Framework
The policy is built upon four interconnected pillars, each addressing a critical component required to build a successful and sustainable AI ecosystem.
1. Enabling AI Through Awareness and Readiness
This foundational pillar focuses on preparing Pakistani society for the widespread adoption of AI through public awareness campaigns, enhancing academic research, and upskilling the workforce via bootcamps and Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platforms.
2. AI Market Enablement
This pillar is designed to create a supportive business environment by addressing key challenges such as access to large datasets, industry-wide standards, and the powerful computing resources needed to deploy AI at scale.
3. Building a Progressive and Trusted Environment
Acknowledging public concerns, this pillar is dedicated to establishing a secure and ethical framework for AI use. It emphasizes the development of regulations for responsible AI to protect personal data and build public trust.
4. Transformation and Evolution
The final pillar outlines a proactive roadmap for driving AI adoption across all sectors, from government to industry. It promotes the use of "sandboxing," a regulatory approach where new AI technologies can be tested in a controlled environment.
The Human Capital Challenge: Training One Million Professionals
The most ambitious component of the policy is its focus on human resource development. The policy acknowledges a stark reality: fewer than 10% of IT professionals in Pakistan are currently skilled in AI.
To close this massive skills gap, the government has set a bold national target: to train one million individuals by 2027. This includes upskilling existing professionals and training new graduates. To achieve this, the policy calls for the recruitment of at least 10,000 new trainers who will deliver high-impact AI education.
Pakistan's Place in the Global AI Race
The launch of a formal National AI Policy positions Pakistan within a global movement of nations that have recognized AI as a critical strategic priority. By defining clear and measurable national targets, Pakistan is signaling to the international community that it is serious about becoming a competitive player.
A formal policy provides a clear framework that can attract foreign investment, foster international research collaborations, and create tangible opportunities for economic growth. The policy is a statement on the global stage, declaring Pakistan's intent to move from being a consumer of foreign technology to a creator and innovator of its own AI solutions.