Islamabad: In a defining moment for Pakistan’s digital future, a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office under the chairmanship of Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan saw the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the ACT AI Initiative – Awareness, Competency and Tools Training for Artificial Intelligence.
According to the Press Information Department, the MoU brings together the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), the Higher Education Commission (HEC), and AI SkillBridge, a subsidiary of AXI Technologies. This partnership aims to scale AI education across the country through a unified public-private collaboration.
The agreement establishes ACT AI as Pakistan’s first nationally coordinated, university-level AI skills programme. It is designed to equip youth with competencies needed for the global digital economy. This initiative plans to train up to 6,000 students per cycle in approximately 100 universities nationwide, including institutions from all provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that it aims to build a nationwide talent pipeline, enabling students to compete globally and contribute to Pakistan’s digital economy. The programme will be executed by AI SkillBridge with support from AXI Technologies, overseeing comprehensive implementation including curriculum design, training, and national outreach.
ACT AI features an intensive eight-week programme focusing on generative AI, AI productivity tools, and sector-specific applications. Training will be delivered through live sessions broadcast via the HEC Smart Classroom network, ensuring standardized instruction nationwide. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity, the programme targets a 50/50 gender participation ratio and welcomes students from diverse academic backgrounds.
NAVTTC will ensure alignment with federal skills development priorities, while HEC will facilitate institutional access through its university network and infrastructure. AI SkillBridge will lead programme execution and delivery.
Aligned with Pakistan’s National AI Policy 2025, ACT AI aims to strengthen the country’s knowledge economy and build a future-ready workforce. With the MoU executed, the programme is operational, with university focal persons activated and student registration underway via the official portal, actai.aiskillbridge.pk. A national launch event is planned to mark the initiative’s commencement, and the first cohort is expected to begin training soon, with ongoing cycles ensuring sustained impact.