Alibaba Cloud expresses interest in Punjab’s AI-driven governance

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met a high-level delegation of Alibaba Cloud on Sunday, with the Chinese technology giant expressing keen interest in Punjab’s IT sector and praising the provincial government’s initiatives for artificial intelligence (AI)-based governance. According to an official handout issued in Lahore, the meeting discussed a potential strategic partnership between the Punjab government and Alibaba Cloud for utilising AI in public services, specifically in agriculture, healthcare, socio-economic programmes, and climate forecasting. Maryam Nawaz stated on the occasion that the Punjab government was actively integrating AI into its governance framework to enhance public service delivery and efficiency. “We are pursuing a policy of adopting artificial intelligence and advanced technologies today rather than waiting for tomorrow,” the chief minister remarked, welcoming Chinese cooperation in AI and information technology. She highlighted that Punjab had become the first province in Pakistan to establish a dedicated AI initiative, providing specialised AI training to cabinet members, government officers, and civil servants alike. Maryam Nawaz further stated that, inspired by observing students in Beijing, AI education has been made mandatory from Grade 1 in government schools across Punjab to equip the youth for the global digital economy. She also briefed the delegation on major health projects, including the construction of the world’s largest public-sector cancer hospital in Punjab. Senior Vice President of Alibaba Cloud, Li Jiapeng, briefed the chief minister on the company’s global operations and technological expertise. Li Jiapeng noted that AI technology was currently being utilised for media campaigns and medical training, adding that it could significantly assist in cancer diagnosis and treatment. During the meeting, Provincial Adviser for Artificial Intelligence Ali Mustafa Dar briefed the Chinese delegation on the successful deployment of AI across the Safe Cities Authority, agriculture, healthcare, education, and infrastructure sectors in Punjab.