Federal Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, conducted a detailed review of the National Center of Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) along with other national technology centers focusing on robotics, cybersecurity, big data, and cloud computing.
During the visit, Minister Iqbal received a thorough briefing on the progress achieved by NCAI and other national centers. He stressed the pivotal role of these centers, underlining their potential to boost the nation’s economy through product commercialization and digital exports.
Minister Iqbal highlighted the global trend of technology as an economic driver and emphasized the need for Pakistan to invest in AI for national transformation.
The visit also saw discussions on the importance of AI training for federal secretaries and senior public servants to harness the potential of AI for governance and economic growth. Minister Iqbal urged NCAI to convene a Task Force meeting and engage AI experts from both corporate sectors and academia to initiate a roadmap for AI integration swiftly.
Recognizing the critical need for sustainability, Minister Iqbal directed the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to revisit decisions and policies proposed by NCAI to ensure the sustainability of the centers. He emphasized the importance of commercializing tech products and fostering collaboration between academia and industry.
Furthermore, Minister Iqbal instructed HEC to expedite the release of promised funds and address delays in the revision of salaries. He urged swift submission of revised project documents.
Updates on collaborative initiatives with international and domestic partners, including the Memorandum of Agreement with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), were shared during the visit. The achievements of centers like the National Center of Robotics and Automation (NCRA) and the National Center of Cyber Security (NCCS) were also highlighted.
Minister Iqbal reiterated his commitment to advancing technology in Pakistan and emphasized the crucial role of these centers in driving advancements across various sectors.
