ISLAMABAD, Feb. 9 ( Xinhua) -- Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Monday that the country would invest 1 billion U.S. dollars in artificial intelligence (AI) by 2030 to boost its digital economy and improve people's livelihoods.
The investment would help establish a robust AI ecosystem across Pakistan and empower youth, which constitutes 60 percent of the population, the prime minister told a conference.
Highlighting priority sectors, Sharif said that artificial intelligence interventions would focus on agriculture, mines and minerals, industry, commerce, trade and youth empowerment.
"Pakistan is absolutely ready to accept the challenge and work with our global partners," he said, stressing the need for equipping locals, especially youth, with modern knowledge and techniques.
Highlighting the government's measures, the premier said that an AI curriculum will be introduced in all government-run schools, while 1,000 fully funded PhD scholarships in AI will be offered to students from across the country by 2030.
Besides that, he said a nationwide program to train 1 million non-information technology professionals in AI skills will be launched to boost productivity and the country's development.
"The government programs would help transform information technology technicians into AI experts, unlocking unprecedented gains in agricultural yield, quality and efficiency as well as industrial growth and women's empowerment," Sharif said. ■
