Punjab to expand AI, digital cooperation

LAHORE: Punjab's Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz engaged in discussions with senior executives from Chinese tech giant Huawei, focusing on broadening cooperative efforts in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and smart public services. The CM expressed her intention to train 1,000 young individuals as Huawei master trainers, with an additional 300 women trainers receiving AI instruction from the company.

A statement underscored the CM's endorsement of Huawei's partnership with Punjab, inviting the firm to invest in the Nawaz Sharif IT City. Both parties agreed to establish an AI delivery unit and construct six data centers, including a sovereign facility at the IT City. They also agreed to appoint a contact person to bolster coordination between Huawei and the Pakistani government.

Topics of discussion included smart city development, command centers, healthcare, education, agriculture, and manufacturing advancements. Nawaz highlighted AI development as a top priority for Punjab, emphasizing the province's leading role in technology adoption within Pakistan and South Asia. She emphasized talent development and equitable access to technology as core components of Punjab's strategy, with a focus on cloud computing, digital infrastructure, and locally designed AI models.

Nawaz conveyed condolences over the casualties and property damage in Nepal due to heavy rains and flooding, reaffirming Punjab's solidarity with Nepal. She pledged the province's readiness to provide any necessary aid to Nepal on humanitarian grounds.