Chinese Firm Shows Interest in Punjab’s Technology Sector

Alibaba Cloud has expressed interest in Punjab’s information technology sector during a meeting with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in China. The company’s officials praised the province’s initiatives to use artificial intelligence in governance, according to a government press release.

The discussions focused on applying AI in agriculture, healthcare, socio-economic programmes and climate forecasting. Officials also considered a strategic partnership to use AI in public services, although no agreement was announced.

Nawaz said Punjab was integrating artificial intelligence into its governance system. “We are pursuing a policy of using artificial intelligence and other technologies today rather than tomorrow,” she said. She also described Punjab as the first province to establish an AI policy and said government officials and members of the provincial cabinet had received AI training.

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We are pursuing a policy of using artificial intelligence and other technologies today rather than tomorrow.

The chief minister said the idea of teaching AI to children in government schools came after she saw students in Beijing. She said Punjab would welcome Chinese cooperation in AI and other information technologies. Nawaz also highlighted the province’s young skilled workforce and digital economy, and said Punjab was building the world’s largest public-sector cancer hospital.

Alibaba Cloud Senior Vice President Li Jiaping briefed Nawaz on the company’s operations. The meeting also covered matters involving small and medium-sized enterprises for overseas Pakistanis.

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The idea of teaching artificial intelligence to children in government schools came after seeing students in Beijing.