Punjab, Alibaba Cloud explore strategic partnership on AI-based governance
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met a high-level delegation from Alibaba Cloud, which expressed keen interest in Punjab’s IT sector and praised its AI-based governance initiatives. The meeting explored a strategic partnership to use AI in agriculture, healthcare, education, socio-economic programs and climate forecasting. Maryam highlighted Punjab’s AI training programs and mandatory AI education from Grade 1, while Alibaba Cloud expressed interest in expanded cooperation and discussions on establishing a data center in Pakistan.
LAHORE, Aug 30 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met a high-level delegation of Alibaba Cloud here on Sunday, with the Chinese technology giant expressing keen interest in Punjab’s IT sector and praising the provincial government’s initiatives for artificial intelligence (AI)-based governance.
According to an official handout issued here, the meeting discussed a potential strategic partnership between the Punjab government and Alibaba Cloud for utilizing AI in public services, specifically in agriculture, healthcare, socio-economic programs, and climate forecasting.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated on the occasion that the Punjab government was actively integrating AI into its governance framework to enhance public service delivery and efficiency.
“We are pursuing a policy of adopting artificial intelligence and advanced technologies today rather than waiting for tomorrow,” the CM remarked, welcoming Chinese cooperation in AI and information technology.
She highlighted that Punjab had become the first province in Pakistan to establish a dedicated AI initiative, providing specialized AI training to cabinet members, government officers, and civil servants alike.
CM Maryam Nawaz further shared that inspired by observing students in Beijing, AI education has been made mandatory from Grade 1 in government schools across Punjab to equip the youth for the global digital economy. She also briefed the delegation on major health projects, including the construction of the world’s largest public-sector cancer hospital in Punjab.
Senior Vice President of Alibaba Cloud, Li Jiapeng, briefed the chief minister on the company’s global operations and technological expertise. He welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and expressed keenness to explore expanded cooperation with Pakistan.
Li Jiapeng noted that AI technology was currently being utilized for media campaigns and medical training, adding that it could significantly assist in cancer diagnosis and treatment. He also revealed that discussions were under way regarding the establishment of a data center in Pakistan.
During the meeting, Provincial Adviser for Artificial Intelligence Ali Mustafa Dar briefed the Chinese delegation on the successful deployment of AI across the Safe Cities Authority, agriculture, healthcare, education, and infrastructure sectors in Punjab.
Matters regarding small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and economic opportunities for overseas Pakistanis were also discussed during the meeting.
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