Govt plans 20,000 AI training programmes

MoITT aims to upskill millions; infrastructure, quality concerns loom

KARACHI:

The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT) has planned to launch 20,000 online training programmes in artificial intelligence (AI) across the country for fresh graduates, government officials, professionals from various sectors, teachers and freelancers through an advanced learning management system (LMS).

The training programmes, spanning six to twelve months, will be introduced under the National AI Advancement Initiative (NAIAI), a strategic national intervention designed to position Pakistan as a competitive leader in the global AI landscape. The initiative aims to drive innovation in both the public and private sectors, enhance workforce capabilities, and establish robust AI governance across critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education and industry.

Under the initiative, specialised AI certification programmes will be offered to upskill professionals and graduates in high?demand areas, including machine learning, deep learning and AI ethics. AI literacy programmes will also be conducted for civil servants and corporate leaders to ensure informed governance and the strategic adoption of AI technologies. According to the request for proposal (RFP), the MoITT has invited training and capacity?building companies to develop and launch an advanced LMS capable of offering multiple AI courses aligned with both domestic and international market demands.

Asim Tausif Khan, a software and AI expert, said that AI has provided Pakistan with a golden opportunity to significantly increase its share in the global IT and digital economy."Pakistan's share in the global IT sector currently stands at less than 1%. However, with the rapid transformation driven by AI and related technologies, the country has the potential to secure a significant global position through trained human resources and upgraded infrastructure," he said.

He emphasised that Pakistan must upskill its youth and professionals on a massive scale, including students from mathematics and science backgrounds, to equip them with advanced AI skills that can meet the demands of both the local IT industry and international markets, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

Asim Tausif Khan further stated that with nearly 65% of its population comprising young people, Pakistan has the potential to produce highly skilled digital professionals in line with the National AI Policy, provided that both the public and private sectors create opportunities for rapid AI?focused skill development. The National AI Policy 2025 aims to upskill one million individuals by 2030, including the creation of 10,000 AI trainers, 20,000 internships annually and 3,000 advanced research scholarships each year.

Dr Noman Said, an IT exporter and AI coach, said that the adoption of AI is no longer a choice but a necessity to remain relevant, productive and part of a high?demand global workforce. He said the government's AI policy provides a comprehensive roadmap that must be implemented through coordinated efforts involving the private sector, IT companies and educational institutions. He further emphasised that AI concepts should be introduced at the secondary school level to fast?track the development of a future?ready workforce."Going forward, a tech?savvy and highly skilled nation will make a significant difference across every sector of life, ranging from IT and e?commerce to healthcare and agriculture, safe cities to strong defence," he remarked.

According to estimates, emerging AI technologies, tools and applications are expected to replace millions of jobs annually across various sectors, potentially leading to unemployment and increased professional challenges for many workers.

Chairman of the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA), Ibrahim Amin, said that the rise of AI could eliminate job opportunities for many freelancers in the future unless they upgrade themselves with in?demand skills and acquire AI expertise on a priority basis. He added that AI technology also presents a major opportunity for freelancers and professionals entering the job market, provided they are willing to relearn modern skills and invest their time and resources in training and capacity?building initiatives. Amin appreciated the government's efforts to enhance the skills of both the existing and future workforce through the planned online training programmes.