Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a bold plan to invest $1 billion in artificial intelligence (AI) by 2030. The announcement came during the opening of Indus AI Week 2026, held in Islamabad from February 9 to 15. The government aims to build a strong AI ecosystem across the country. Sharif promised the introduction of AI curricula in all federally-run schools and in regions like Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The plan includes extending AI education to remote areas of Balochistan, preparing youth for leadership roles in the digital economy. To boost research, the government will fund 1,000 PhD scholarships in AI by 2030, aiming to develop a world-class research center. A nationwide program will also train 1 million non-IT professionals in AI to improve productivity and livelihoods. The PM highlighted Pakistan’s youth, which forms 60% of the population, as a key focus. He said, “We have to empower them with modern knowledge and modern techniques.” He assured that IT professionals would be trained to become AI experts, which could improve agriculture, industry, and women’s empowerment. Indus AI Week is Pakistan’s official national platform for AI, where policy, innovation, talent, and investment come together. The government approved the National AI Policy in July 2025 to broaden AI access and open new jobs. However, its implementation has been slow, with only awareness programs currently active. Indus AI Week aims to kickstart progress. PM Shehbaz called the event “nothing short of a game-changer” that will reshape Pakistan’s tech future. He praised past initiatives like Punjab’s laptop distribution, e-libraries, and digitizing land records to curb corruption. He also noted progress in digital tax collection and efforts to control smuggling. IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said Indus AI Week will boost cooperation between universities, governments, and businesses. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal described AI as a major disruptor, even bigger than the internet or electricity, emphasizing Pakistan’s ongoing tech journey starting decades ago. The government’s commitment to AI development highlights Pakistan’s readiness to join the global technology race and unlock new growth avenues.