Maryam Nawaz takes Punjab’s AI push to China as Alibaba Cloud sees new opportunities
LAHORE – Punjab’s AI ambitions get another boost in China, with Alibaba Cloud showing interest in investing in the province’s tech sector as Maryam Nawaz pushes AI into governance, healthcare, agriculture, public services and even classrooms.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz held high-level talks with Alibaba Cloud during her visit to China in which the global technology group expressed interest in investing and collaborating in the province’s rapidly expanding IT sector.
The meeting focused on AI-enabled governance, healthcare, agriculture, public services and socio-economic programmes, with both parties exploring possible strategic partnerships for deployment of artificial intelligence in Punjab’s public sector services.
Alibaba Cloud officials also praised Punjab’s ongoing initiatives aimed at introducing AI into governance, signaling growing Chinese interest in the province’s technology ambitions.
Maryam Nawaz said that Punjab is no longer waiting for the future, stressing that the provincial government is already integrating AI into its governance system and embracing modern technology today.
The chief minister highlighted Punjab’s plans to set up what he termed the world’s largest public sector cancer hospital, while also pointing out that the province has become the first in Pakistan to set up a dedicated institute for artificial intelligence.
He said Punjab would welcome China’s support in AI and other advanced IT technologies, especially as the province seeks to strengthen its digital economy and tap into its large pool of young and skilled workers. The talks also opened up another potentially important front, with Li Jiping, senior vice president of Alibaba Cloud, revealing that talks are underway to set up a data center in Pakistan.
Welcoming the signing of the MoU between Alibaba Cloud and Punjab, Li Jiping said that AI can also help in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
The meeting also discussed opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for overseas Pakistanis, broadening the scope of potential cooperation beyond government technology projects.
Punjab Education Minister Ali Mustafa Dar revealed another big AI push, saying that AI education has already been made compulsory from Grade 1 across the province. He added that artificial intelligence is being deployed in several key sectors, including Safe City Authority, agriculture, healthcare and other sectors.
Maryam Nawaz engaged solar power giants to invest in Punjab during her visit to China.
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