Pakistan’s Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has called for the country to indigenize AI models to ensure local culture and perspectives are included in emerging technologies. She warned that reliance on foreign AI systems risks misrepresentation and biases.
Highlighting government efforts, Shaza said the National AI Initiative will train one million Pakistanis over the next five years, preparing a workforce for the fast-evolving digital economy. She noted that traditional degrees are no longer enough to guarantee employment in the tech sector.
Shaza explained that consultations with industry, higher education authorities, and universities have led to a new mandate: every CS graduate must now complete at least one certification or apprenticeship to increase employability and readiness for the future.
She further urged universities to update their curriculum so it addresses not only current technological demands but also the skills Pakistan will require over the next 10–20 years. The minister stressed that building local AI capacity is crucial for Pakistan’s future innovation and competitiveness.
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