ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Google have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand cooperation in digital skills, information technology exports, artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation.
The MoU was signed at a reception hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in honour of the Google team. It aims to support Pakistan’s digital transformation and strengthen cooperation in areas linked to the digital economy.
Under the agreement, Google will expand its Career Certificates programme in Pakistan, with a target of providing 150,000 certificates in 2026 to help develop digital skills.
The two sides also agreed to expand Pakistani students’ access to Google’s advanced AI tools. Students will be provided free access for one year to Google AI Plus, Gemini and other AI tools.
Pakistan and Google will also cooperate in establishing an AI Centre of Excellence in Islamabad. The centre will train young people and develop human resources in line with the requirements of global markets.
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The agreement also covers cooperation to strengthen the global competitiveness of Pakistan’s mobile application and gaming industries, promote digital payments and expand digital commerce.
The two sides agreed to explore the use of AI to improve government services and public-sector operations. AI and data analytics will also be used in the Federal Board of Revenue’s digitisation efforts.
In agriculture, cooperation will focus on using AI for crop monitoring and forecasting and promoting sustainable farming practices.
Pakistan and Google will also work to help small and medium-sized businesses gain access to international markets through digital platforms.
The government, Google and relevant stakeholders will form a task force to prepare a roadmap for increasing Pakistan’s IT exports and competitiveness. The task force will identify barriers to IT exports and areas with potential for further growth.
The cooperation is also expected to create more opportunities for Pakistani youth in digital skills, startups and technology.
The agreement is seen as a step towards Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of increasing Pakistan’s IT exports and digital economy to $30 billion by 2030.
