ISLAMABAD: Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal announced on Friday that the final draft of Pakistan’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy is set to be presented to the federal cabinet for approval in August. This significant step comes as part of the government’s efforts to position Pakistan as a key player in the rapidly evolving field of AI.
Speaking at a meeting of the Special Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Iqbal stressed the importance of completing consultations with all relevant stakeholders as swiftly as possible. He emphasized that AI is not a distant future technology but a present-day reality with substantial implications for progress across various sectors. “Artificial Intelligence is not the future but the present reality in the world,” Iqbal stated, highlighting AI’s pivotal role in driving advancement in multiple domains.
Iqbal reflected on the initiatives undertaken by the PML-N government, which include the establishment of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence in 2017 and the formation of the National Task Force on Artificial Intelligence in 2023. Additionally, he noted the creation of National Centres for Excellence in Advanced Technologies under Vision 2025, each linked to engineering labs in eight to ten universities.
He pointed out that while the global landscape of AI is rapidly advancing, Pakistan must accelerate its efforts to keep pace. Iqbal also addressed the challenge of some countries not granting visas to Pakistani students seeking education in cutting-edge technologies, underscoring Pakistan’s determination to secure modern technology regardless of these hurdles. “We will obtain modern technology at any cost,” he asserted.
The forthcoming AI policy is expected to tackle these challenges and enhance Pakistan’s capabilities in the AI sector, setting the stage for future growth and innovation.
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