Chinese firm displays interest in Punjab’s IT sector

A major Chinese firm has shown interest in the IT industry of Punjab during the visit of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to China, with the talks focussing on artificial intelligence and technological cooperation.

Maryam Nawaz held a meeting with a high-level delegation of a Chinese corporation and discussed the application of artificial intelligence in agriculture, healthcare, socioeconomic programs and climate forecasting.

The group also discussed the application of artificial intelligence in public services and a possible strategic alliance.

Addressing the ceremony, Maryam Nawaz said the government structure of Punjab was being merged with artificial intelligence. “The province was pursuing a policy of adopting artificial intelligence and other technologies now, rather than waiting for tomorrow,” she said.

She claimed Punjab is constructing the largest cancer hospital in the world in the public sector. She said Punjab had become the first province to develop an artificial intelligence initiative.

After visiting pupils in Beijing, the chief minister stated, the thought struck him of teaching artificial intelligence to children in government schools. She welcomed Chinese cooperation in artificial intelligence and other information technology capabilities.

Punjab was the fourth largest province by virtue of its young and competent people and was becoming a leader in the digital economy, Maryam Nawaz added.

She added AI training has also been given to provincial cabinet members as well as government officers and officials.

Matters pertaining to small and medium enterprises of overseas Pakistanis were also discussed in the conference.