The federal cabinet of Pakistan has approved the country's first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy, aimed at fostering innovation and economic growth through AI technology.

This comprehensive policy focuses on six core areas: innovation, public awareness, infrastructure development, AI ethics and safety, sectoral transformation, and global cooperation.

The policy emphasizes the importance of women's involvement in technology, asserting that their inclusion is essential for national growth and success.

Significant budget allocations have been made under the Public Sector Development Program to support tech sector employment, with a strong emphasis on national collaboration for sustainable development.

Over 350,000 young Pakistanis have been trained in digital and AI skills through partnerships with organizations like Google and Microsoft, aiming to ensure job placement or entrepreneurship for IT graduates.

The cabinet acknowledged the contributions of the Ministry of IT and stakeholders in developing this significant policy, which includes measures for national cybersecurity and alignment with global AI regulations.

The policy promotes the inclusion of women and differently-abled individuals in the AI sector, striving for a more inclusive digital future.

To ensure effective policy execution, specialized working groups and an implementation cell will be established within the Ministry of IT.

Pakistan recently hosted its first Digital Foreign Direct Investment Forum, resulting in memorandums of understanding worth $700 million, showcasing the country's potential as a rising digital economy.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif noted that the adoption of AI will modernize the economy and improve productivity across various sectors, including agriculture and public services.

The minister encouraged experts to provide feedback on the proposed AI framework through open digital channels, highlighting the importance of collaboration for successful implementation.

The initiative also includes measures for cybersecurity and national data protection, addressing challenges posed by the digital age.