Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz met with a high level delegation from Alibaba Cloud during her visit to China, where the leading Chinese technology company expressed strong interest in Punjab IT sector and explored opportunities for future collaboration in artificial intelligence and digital technologies. According to an official press release, the meeting focused on expanding cooperation in technology driven governance and examined how artificial intelligence could support public services across multiple sectors. Alibaba Cloud representatives appreciated Punjab AI based governance initiatives, while both sides discussed the potential for establishing a strategic partnership to promote the use of advanced technologies in the province.
The discussions covered the application of artificial intelligence in agriculture, healthcare, socio economic programmes and climate forecasting. Both sides also reviewed opportunities for integrating AI into public services to improve efficiency and service delivery. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated that Punjab governance system is being integrated with artificial intelligence as part of the provincial government’s broader digital transformation efforts. She said the government is committed to adopting artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies without delay, reflecting its focus on modernizing public sector operations. During the meeting, she also highlighted that Punjab is building what she described as the world’s largest public sector cancer hospital, where advanced technologies are expected to play an important role in supporting healthcare services.
Maryam Nawaz said Punjab has become the first province to establish an artificial intelligence policy, demonstrating its commitment to creating an environment that encourages the adoption of emerging technologies. She explained that the idea of introducing artificial intelligence education for children in government schools was inspired by observing students in Beijing during her visit to China. She added that the provincial government welcomes cooperation from Chinese technology companies in artificial intelligence and other information technology fields to strengthen innovation, education and digital capabilities. The chief minister further stated that Punjab has the fourth largest young and skilled workforce and continues to strengthen its position in the digital economy. She also noted that artificial intelligence training has been provided not only to government officials but also to members of the provincial cabinet to enhance their understanding of emerging technologies and their role in governance.
During the meeting, Alibaba Cloud Senior Vice President Li Jiaping briefed the chief minister on the company’s global operations and technology initiatives. The two sides also discussed matters relating to small and medium enterprises serving overseas Pakistanis, highlighting opportunities where digital technologies and cloud services could support business development. The meeting reflected ongoing engagement between Punjab government and international technology companies to explore cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital transformation and public sector innovation while encouraging greater collaboration in the province expanding information technology ecosystem.
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