The Office of AI Punjab and the National AI Hub, based at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand collaboration on artificial intelligence initiatives and develop technology-driven solutions for public challenges in Punjab. The partnership builds on existing engagement between the two organizations and aims to create greater opportunities for applying artificial intelligence to areas where technology can improve public service delivery. The National AI Hub, supported by the Gates Foundation, has been working with the Punjab government to explore locally relevant applications of AI, while the Office of AI Punjab is coordinating the province’s broader artificial intelligence agenda and promoting the adoption of AI across different sectors.
The new agreement builds on the Awaaz-e-Sehat pilot, an AI-enabled maternal health initiative being developed through collaboration between the Office of AI, the Gates Foundation and the National AI Hub. The initiative is focused on using artificial intelligence to improve access to healthcare, strengthen engagement with communities and support better health outcomes across Punjab. As part of preparations for the pilot, the Office of AI has recently conducted site visits alongside the Awaaz-e-Sehat team, the Health and Population Department and the Health Information and Service Delivery Unit (HISDU). These visits have been aimed at assessing implementation readiness, understanding local requirements and finalizing locations where the pilot can be introduced.
Under the broader partnership, the National AI Hub and the Office of AI Punjab will provide a platform for identifying, developing and advancing AI applications that respond to the province’s specific needs. Rather than focusing only on general-purpose technology solutions, the collaboration can support the development of applications designed around local challenges and government service requirements. Areas such as healthcare, public administration, service delivery and other sectors could benefit from the use of AI where appropriate. The partnership also creates an avenue for government stakeholders and researchers to work more closely together in identifying problems where artificial intelligence can provide practical and measurable improvements.
The collaboration comes as the Punjab government continues to pursue its AI Vision 2029, which aims to increase the use of artificial intelligence across government departments, public services and institutional processes. The Office of AI has been positioned as a central coordinating body for the province’s AI agenda and has been working to establish partnerships with universities, technology companies, research institutions and other organizations. These partnerships are intended to support the development and adoption of AI solutions while creating stronger connections between government priorities, research capabilities and technology expertise.
The MoU also highlights the growing role of universities and research institutions in supporting Punjab’s artificial intelligence strategy. By connecting academic research with government priorities and real-world public challenges, such collaborations can create opportunities to develop AI applications based on local requirements and available data rather than relying entirely on solutions developed for other markets. The National AI Hub’s association with LUMS provides an academic and research dimension to the partnership, while the Office of AI brings government priorities and implementation requirements into the collaboration. The Office of AI has also announced other partnerships involving financial services, technology companies and international organizations as Punjab continues to work toward its wider AI and digital transformation objectives. Through continued collaboration between government, academia and industry, the province is seeking to build practical AI applications that can contribute to public services and address challenges faced by communities across Punjab.
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