KARACHI: Pakistan government is on the hunt for a training company or consortium to help lead a massive artificial intelligence overhaul, and it has just issued the official Request for Proposal, or RFP, to get the job done.
The solicitation is a core part of the National AI Advancement Initiative, or NAIAI, a strategic push to prepare the country’s workforce for an AI-driven future through upskilling programs, academic partnerships and policy incentives.
Aligned with the Digital Pakistan Vision, the National AI Policy and the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, NAIAI aims to drive innovation in the public and private sectors, enhance workforce capabilities and establish AI governance in health care, agriculture, education and industry.
Under the training program, AI curricula will be integrated into university degree programs for students in information technology, mathematics and statistics. Specialized certifications in machine learning, deep learning and AI ethics will be offered to upskill professionals and graduates. Civil servants and corporate leaders will also receive AI literacy training to ensure informed governance and strategic adoption.
Qualified trainers vetted against strict criteria will be deployed to ensure consistent delivery across all programs. The initiative prioritizes a safe and inclusive learning environment.
The government is also prioritizing regulatory frameworks to address risks related to data privacy, algorithmic bias and security. By positioning AI as a cornerstone of the nation’s digital transformation, NAIAI seeks to bridge technological gaps, boost economic growth and address societal challenges.
Pakistan adopted its AI policy in 2025, built around six pillars: creating an AI innovation ecosystem, mass awareness and readiness, a secure AI ecosystem, sectoral transformation, nationwide AI infrastructure, and international collaboration.
Officials said that if implemented effectively, the policy could raise gross domestic product growth from 7% to 15% by 2030, depending on the level of adoption.
The agriculture sector could see a $12 billion improvement, industry $5 billion and services $26 billion, according to government projections.
However, experts note existing gaps that include implementation challenges, funding and infrastructure constraints, regulatory weaknesses, human capital limitations and overly ambitious expectations.
To strengthen the policy, analysts recommend increasing the research and development fund to 0.5% of GDP, using existing resources such as technical and vocational training centers, launching pilot projects and enacting stronger laws for privacy and data security.
“Artificial intelligence is no longer science fiction; it has turned into a stern reality,” the policy document states, noting that major economies including the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, China and India have already formulated AI policies.
