Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, visited NUST’s National Center of Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) and other centers on robotics, cybersecurity, big data, and cloud computing that he established.
During his visit, the Minister received a briefing on NCAI and other national centers’ progress. He stressed their potential for boosting the economy through product commercialization and digital exports with HEC’s guidance. The Minister highlighted AI’s importance for national transformation.
The Minister’s visit emphasizes not only a strategic commitment to advancing the national centers of technology but also underscores his eagerness for swift progress, emphasizing the crucial role of these institutions in shaping Pakistan’s technological and economic future. Dr. YasarAyaz, NCAI Chairman, outlined NCAI’s vital role in shaping the nation’s tech landscape. He highlighted its economic impact through research, industry projects, and products deployed in sectors like safe cities, agriculture, education, and disaster management. The Minister instructed NCAI to conduct 2-3 day AI training for federal secretaries and senior public servants to grasp AI’s transformative potential in their domains. He emphasized AI’s role in good governance and the necessity for integrating AI for economic growth and a knowledge-based economy.
Minister Iqbal urged NCAI to reconvene the Task Force with AI experts from international and local corporate sectors to expedite roadmap initiation. He commended the centers’ achievements and stressed sustainability. NCAI proposed two sustainability policies in 2019, pending HEC approval.
