Freedom Gate Prosperity and the National Centre of Artificial Intelligence at the National University of Sciences and Technology have expressed strong mutual interest in exploring a formal collaboration to promote responsible artificial intelligence, digital innovation, research, skills development, and inclusive economic opportunities for Pakistan’s youth. The intent was discussed during a meeting at NCAI-NUST between Prof. Dr. Yasar Ayaz, Chairman and Central Director of NCAI, and an FGP delegation comprising Muhammad Anwar, Chief Executive Officer, and Shafqat Aziz, Strategic Policy Advisor.
Muhammad Anwar opened the discussion by highlighting that artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping economies, industries, and labour markets at a pace that requires deliberate, coordinated preparation. He emphasised the need for Pakistan to invest in preparing its young population for the changing nature of work by strengthening digital skills, encouraging innovation, and building stronger linkages among research institutions, academia, industry, and development organisations. He framed FGP’s interest in the collaboration as an extension of its commitment to promoting informed dialogue and initiatives that translate technological advancement into inclusive economic opportunities and sustainable development, rather than allowing the benefits of artificial intelligence to remain concentrated among those who already have access to the infrastructure and skills needed to participate.
Prof. Dr. Yasar Ayaz responded by highlighting the growing importance of artificial intelligence research and innovation in strengthening Pakistan’s technological and economic competitiveness, stressing the need to invest in indigenous research, human capital development, and practical artificial intelligence applications across key sectors. He specifically emphasised creating opportunities for young researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs to contribute to the emerging digital economy, rather than positioning Pakistan’s youth purely as consumers of artificial intelligence tools developed elsewhere. He also underlined the importance of stronger collaboration among research institutions, academia, industry, government, and development organisations to ensure that artificial intelligence-driven innovation responds to Pakistan’s national development priorities rather than to the priorities of the international markets and investors that currently shape most global artificial intelligence research agendas.
Shafqat Aziz contributed FGP’s perspective on broadening public understanding and policy discourse around artificial intelligence and the social and economic transformation associated with emerging technologies, while also highlighting the potential of artificial intelligence-based solutions to address pressing development challenges including environmental protection and climate change, two areas where Pakistan faces some of its most acute vulnerabilities and where data-driven, AI-assisted decision-making could contribute meaningfully to policy and resource allocation. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to explore practical avenues of cooperation covering knowledge sharing, policy dialogue, collaborative research, skills development, public awareness, and initiatives specifically promoting youth innovation, entrepreneurship, and artificial intelligence-enabled economic participation. The partnership, if formalised, would bring together FGP’s policy advocacy and development orientation with NCAI’s research infrastructure and technical expertise, creating a collaboration that spans both the supply and demand sides of Pakistan’s artificial intelligence ecosystem.
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