The federal government has formally introduced an Artificial Intelligence 101 module at Civil Services Academy, integrating structured AI education into the core training of Pakistan’s civil services. The initiative was inaugurated by Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja, who described the move as an important step in aligning public sector capacity with the country’s broader digital transformation agenda. By embedding artificial intelligence training directly into the civil services curriculum, the government aims to ensure that future policymakers and administrators are equipped to understand and responsibly use emerging technologies within governance structures.
Addressing a special batch of CSS probationary officers at the academy, the Minister said the initiative forms a key pillar of the government’s Digital Nation Vision and is closely aligned with the Digital Nation Pakistan Act. She emphasized that the legislation should be viewed as a governance reform framework rather than a standalone technology policy, as it seeks to reshape how the state delivers services, manages data and builds institutional capacity. According to the Minister, preparing civil servants to engage with artificial intelligence is essential for modern governance, particularly as digital tools become increasingly central to policy design, service delivery and public administration.
The AI 101 module has been developed by Ministry of IT and Telecom in collaboration with Planning Commission, Civil Services Academy and atomcamp. The curriculum reflects the priorities outlined in the National Artificial Intelligence Policy, which places strong emphasis on building human capacity within government institutions. The training is designed to familiarize future civil servants with both the opportunities and responsibilities associated with AI adoption. A special cohort of probationary officers attended the launch, including 52 officers from Balochistan and 56 from Sindh. Overall, 150 probationary officers completed an intensive two day training programme delivered as part of the initial rollout. The instruction covered foundational concepts of artificial intelligence, prompt engineering, administrative and research applications, productivity tools and ethical considerations related to AI use in the public sector.
In addition to training probationary officers, a training of trainers programme has also been completed to ensure sustainability of the initiative. Thirty faculty members from various civil service training institutions have been certified as master trainers and will now deliver the AI module to future batches. The Minister announced that all upcoming cohorts at the Civil Services Academy will receive this structured instruction, making AI literacy a permanent feature of civil service education. She also noted that the partnership with atomcamp will be expanded to include advanced AI modules, enabling deeper engagement with more complex applications as officers progress through their careers.
During her address, the Minister also highlighted progress made under broader digital reform efforts across the federal government. She noted that e Office adoption has reached 100 percent across 38 of 39 federal divisions, significantly improving administrative efficiency. As a result of this transition, average file processing time has been reduced from 25 to 30 days to approximately four days. According to the Minister, such improvements demonstrate how digital systems, when combined with skilled human resources, can deliver tangible gains in governance performance.
She further stated that affordable high speed internet, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence remain central to Pakistan’s digital strategy. The Ministry of IT and Telecom plans to extend AI capacity building beyond entry level officers to include mid career and senior officials. These initiatives will be aligned with emerging frameworks for AI governance and data protection to ensure responsible and secure adoption. The AI training programme is directly linked to the Digital Nation Pakistan legislation introduced in the National Assembly in December 2024, which proposes a national digitisation framework and the creation of a National Digital Commission chaired by the Prime Minister to oversee digital transformation and infrastructure investment across the country.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
