Bitcoin data centres to boost employment opportunities
Pakistan plans to use its surplus electricity for Bitcoin mining in an effort to expand digital economic activity and increase foreign exchange earnings, officials say.
The country's total power generation capacity stands at 46,000 megawatts, significantly exceeding demand. In summer, power consumption reaches 26,000 megawatts, while in winter it falls to just 10,000 megawatts.
Due to seasonal variations in electricity usage, the government aims to divert excess capacity to Bitcoin mining. Under the plan, 2,000 megawatts of electricity will be allocated for this purpose.
Officials say the initiative will provide a source of income without relying on imports and will help boost foreign reserves.
The government, in collaboration with the private sector, will develop Bitcoin mining as part of its broader 'Digital Pakistan' strategy.
Authorities say the move will generate state revenue and create job opportunities for youth through the establishment of modern data centres.
Better utilisation of Independent Power Producers' (IPPs) capacity will also support the stability of the national power grid, according to the plan.
Read: Pakistan's crypto bet: digital dream or power misstep?
Previously, government announced to allocate 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity in the first phase of a national initiative to power bitcoin mining and AI data centres, finance ministry said.
The allocation is part of government's plans to use its surplus electricity to bitcoin mining and AI data centres.
Country's energy sector is grappling with challenges, including high electricity tariffs and surplus generation capacity.
The rapid expansion of solar energy has further complicated the landscape, as more consumers turn to alternative energy sources to mitigate high costs.
The initiative is spearheaded by the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), a government-backed body, which is part of a broader strategy to monetize surplus electricity, create high-tech jobs, and attract foreign investment, the ministry said.
The allocation is the first phase of a broader, multi-stage digital infrastructure roll-out, it added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
11 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Bitcoin data centres to boost employment opportunities
Listen to article Pakistan plans to use its surplus electricity for Bitcoin mining in an effort to expand digital economic activity and increase foreign exchange earnings, officials say. The country's total power generation capacity stands at 46,000 megawatts, significantly exceeding demand. In summer, power consumption reaches 26,000 megawatts, while in winter it falls to just 10,000 megawatts. Due to seasonal variations in electricity usage, the government aims to divert excess capacity to Bitcoin mining. Under the plan, 2,000 megawatts of electricity will be allocated for this purpose. Officials say the initiative will provide a source of income without relying on imports and will help boost foreign reserves. The government, in collaboration with the private sector, will develop Bitcoin mining as part of its broader 'Digital Pakistan' strategy. Authorities say the move will generate state revenue and create job opportunities for youth through the establishment of modern data centres. Better utilisation of Independent Power Producers' (IPPs) capacity will also support the stability of the national power grid, according to the plan. Read: Pakistan's crypto bet: digital dream or power misstep? Previously, government announced to allocate 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity in the first phase of a national initiative to power bitcoin mining and AI data centres, finance ministry said. The allocation is part of government's plans to use its surplus electricity to bitcoin mining and AI data centres. Country's energy sector is grappling with challenges, including high electricity tariffs and surplus generation capacity. The rapid expansion of solar energy has further complicated the landscape, as more consumers turn to alternative energy sources to mitigate high costs. The initiative is spearheaded by the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), a government-backed body, which is part of a broader strategy to monetize surplus electricity, create high-tech jobs, and attract foreign investment, the ministry said. The allocation is the first phase of a broader, multi-stage digital infrastructure roll-out, it added.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
China proposes new global AI cooperation organisation
SHANGHAI: China said on Saturday it wanted to create an organisation to foster global cooperation on artificial intelligence, positioning itself as an alternative to the U.S. as the two vie for influence over the transformative technology. China wants to help coordinate global efforts to regulate fast-evolving AI technology and share the country's advances, Premier Li Qiang told the annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday released an AI blueprint aiming to vastly expand U.S. AI exports to allies in a bid to maintain the American edge over China in the critical technology. Li did not name the United States but appeared to refer to Washington's efforts to stymie China's advances in AI, warning that the technology risked becoming the 'exclusive game' of a few countries and companies. China wants AI to be openly shared and for all countries and companies to have equal rights to use it, Li said, adding thatBeijing was willing to share its development experience and products with other countries, particularly the 'Global South'. The Global South refers to developing, emerging or lower-income countries, mostly in the southern hemisphere. How to regulate AI's growing risks was another concern, Li said, adding that bottlenecks included an insufficient supply of AI chips and restrictions on talent exchange. Nvidia's Huang hails Chinese AI models as 'world class' 'Overall global AI governance is still fragmented. Countries have great differences particularly in terms of areas such as regulatory concepts, institutional rules,' he said. 'We should strengthen coordination to form a global AI governance framework that has broad consensus as soon as possible.' Shanghai headquarters The three-day Shanghai conference brings together industry leaders and policymakers at a time of escalating technological competition between China and the United States - the world's two largest economies - with AI emerging as a key battleground. Washington has imposed export restrictions on advanced technology to China, including the most high-end AI chips made by companies such as Nvidia and chipmaking equipment, citing concerns that the technology could enhance China's military capabilities. Despite these restrictions, China has continued making AI breakthroughs that have drawn close scrutiny from U.S. officials. China's Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu told a roundtable of representatives from over 30 countries, including Russia, South Africa, Qatar, South Korea and Germany, that China wanted the organisation to promote pragmatic cooperation in AI and was considering putting its headquarters in Shanghai. The foreign ministry released online an action plan for global AI governance, inviting governments, international organisations, enterprises and research institutions to work together and promote international exchanges including through a cross-border open source community. The government-sponsored AI conference typically attracts major industry players, government officials, researchers and investors. Saturday's speakers included Anne Bouverot, the French president's special envoy for AI, computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton, known as 'the Godfather of AI', and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has in past years regularly appeared at the opening ceremony in person or by video, did not speak this year. Besides forums, the conference features exhibitions where companies demonstrate their latest innovations. This year, more than 800 companies are participating, showcasing more than 3,000 high-tech products, 40 large language models, 50 AI-powered devices and 60 intelligent robots, according to organisers. The exhibition features predominantly Chinese companies, including tech giants Huawei and Alibaba and startups such as humanoid robot maker Unitree. Western participants include Tesla, Alphabet and Amazon.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Vogue ad featuring AI-generated models for Guess campaign prompts mixed reactions from readers online
Readers of Vogue were left divided after spotting AI-generated models in a recent two-page Guess advertisement featured in the magazine's August 2025 print edition. The ad, created by AI marketing agency Seraphinne Vallora, featured digital imagery of a blonde model wearing different outfits from the Guess collection, accompanied by fine print noting the campaign was 'produced by Seraphinne Vallora on AI.' The ad was not part of Vogue's editorial content but a paid feature from Guess. While some readers viewed it as a forward-thinking move, others took to social media expressing discomfort. One post read, 'This is kinda sad. There's so many people who would love to be on the magazine just for them to be giving these opportunities to AI…' Another wrote, 'That's disturbing. This is the direction AI should not be going in.' The AI-generated model appeared in two separate settings—first seated at a café table wearing a blue floral romper, and later, standing in front of a boutique in a black-and-white chevron dress. Critics voiced concern over the implications for real models and evolving beauty standards, with one comment noting, 'The new beauty standard will be, literally, unobtainable because it's not real.' Seraphinne Vallora's website states its mission is to offer 'editorial level AI-driven marketing campaigns and cinematic videos,' aiming to make high-quality marketing more accessible and cost-effective for brands. The agency's work has appeared not only in Vogue but also in Elle and Harper's Bazaar. Though Guess has not commented, the reaction reveals an ongoing debate within the fashion industry around the role of AI in visual storytelling and advertising.
