Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on February 9, 2026, that Pakistan will invest USD 1 billion (about Rs 280 billion) in artificial intelligence (AI) by 2030 as part of a nationwide drive to build a strong AI ecosystem and prepare the nation for rapid digital transformation. The announcement came during the Indus AI Week 2026 inauguration in Islamabad, where government officials, technologists, students and international delegates gathered to discuss AI policy, innovation, skills and industry cooperation.
“The Government of Pakistan is committed to investing USD 1 billion in AI by 2030, which will go a long way in building an AI ecosystem in our country,” the prime minister told the audience, underlining the country’s intent to position itself in the global technological race.
Training, Talent and Education at the Core
Central to the government’s strategy is human capital development. Pakistan plans to train one million non-IT professionals in AI skills nationwide, enabling workers from diverse sectors — from agriculture to services — to adopt AI tools and improve productivity.
An AI curriculum will be introduced in schools and colleges in all provinces, including Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), and Balochistan’s remote areas, ensuring that the nation’s youth are prepared for AI-driven careers.
The government will also award 1,000 fully funded PhD scholarships in AI by 2030, aimed at building world-class research capacity and national AI research centres.
These steps align with the earlier approval of the National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2025, which seeks to democratise access to AI, expand employment opportunities, and foster innovation across Pakistan. The policy — approved by the federal cabinet — also envisions training one million AI professionals by 2030, launching AI innovation funds, and incubating hundreds of AI-enabled projects and products.
Public-Private Partnerships and Real-World Impact
Pakistan’s AI ambitions extend beyond education. The government recently announced initiatives to support local data infrastructure, including a partnership between a Pakistani tech firm and a US company to build a national AI cloud data centre, which will help startups, universities and enterprises run AI workloads domestically.
Experts argue that AI can revolutionise key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, mining and mineral processing, and commerce, helping Pakistan boost efficiency and create new job opportunities. However, they also note that the country must address challenges such as energy constraints, digital infrastructure gaps and skill shortages to fully realise the vision.
As AI Week continues through February 15, government officials and industry leaders are expected to outline further partnerships, investment pledges, and programmes to accelerate Pakistan’s AI ecosystem and foster innovation for the next decade.
