Latest news with #NationalArtificialIntelligence
Business Recorder
04-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
High-potential ideas, pilot projects: Minister orders creation of ‘AI Fund'
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, to encourage innovation and reduce funding-related barriers, directed for establishing a National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Fund to support high-potential ideas and pilot projects related to artificial intelligence. The minister gave these directions while chairing a meeting of the National Taskforce on Artificial Intelligence, where he called for a detailed and inclusive national approach to integrate AI across Pakistan's development sectors. To support this direction, the taskforce was assigned a clear mandate to identify 12 key sectors, including education, health, agriculture, climate, business, and governance where AI applications can generate measurable national benefits. MoITT says it will be 'too early' to regulate AI Each sector will establish a multi-stakeholder working group, comprising experts from government, academia, and the private sector. These groups will develop sector-specific AI roadmaps, with defined objectives, timelines, and resource requirements. The purpose is to ensure that Pakistan not only aligns with global technological trends but also maximises the utility of AI in solving domestic challenges. Recognising the growing global investment in AI, the minister emphasised that it is time that Pakistan should move with clarity and purpose. He stated that AI adoption cannot be advanced in isolation and must instead be guided by cross-sectoral collaboration, alignment with national priorities, and effective coordination across all relevant institutions. He said that the government has established nine Centers of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and Cloud Computing, Robotics, Quantum Computing etc in major universities and has also initiated the Quantum Valley Pakistan initiative to build future capabilities in frontier technologies. The minister also called for a comprehensive mapping exercise to assess the availability of AI-related talent and resources across Pakistan. This will include universities, research centres, and industry actors, with the aim of deploying these assets in a strategic and coordinated manner. In order to bring key stakeholders together, the minister instructed the taskforce to organise a national AI workshop in collaboration withPakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) and other relevant industry bodies. The workshop will provide a platform for dialogue between government, academia, and industry, and will focus on designing practical AI solutions tailored to Pakistan's development context. The meeting was attended by Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja; Dr Yasar Ayaz, project director of the National Center for Artificial Intelligence; senior officials from the Ministry of IT, NADRA, PA@HA; and leading private sector representatives. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
TECHx
03-07-2025
- Business
- TECHx
Is the UAE Building the Smartest Govt? Big Data Says Yes
Home » Emerging technologies » Big Data » Is the UAE Building the Smartest Govt? Big Data Says Yes The UAE is on a mission to become one of the smartest governments in the world, and big data is definitely driving this change. The country is not just collecting data for the sake of it. Instead, it's using data to improve how government works, make faster decisions, and deliver better services to its people. On June 20, 2025, the UAE took a bold step. It announced that its National Artificial Intelligence System will officially join the Cabinet as an advisory member starting January 2026. This means AI won't just be a tool that is most talked about, it will have a voice in the highest level of government. Ministers will be able to use AI-powered analysis and forecasts to make smarter, faster decisions in areas like healthcare, transportation, energy, and security. This is a first in the world, and it shows how seriously the UAE is taking technology. But the UAE's data revolution doesn't stop there. At the end of June 2025, the Ministry of Finance, working with the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation, launched a new platform called 'Rules as Code.' This platform turns laws and regulations into machine-readable code. In simple terms, this means the government can test policies using computers before they are put into action. This cuts down delays and mistakes, and makes the government more transparent and efficient. The official details are here. The UAE is also focused on bringing in the best talent to keep this momentum going. In 2025, the Golden Visa program was updated to give priority to AI specialists, climate change innovators, and tech professionals. This shift shows the country wants smart people more than just investors. By attracting global experts, the UAE hopes to build a knowledge-driven economy and keep growing as a technology hub. Behind the scenes, huge investments are being made in infrastructure. The Stargate AI Campus in Abu Dhabi is a $10 billion project designed to create one of the largest and most advanced AI data centers in the region. This campus will provide the computing power needed to support AI research and government data needs. Despite some geopolitical challenges, the project is moving ahead. Reuters reported on it here. Telecom companies like Etisalat and du are expanding 5G networks and cloud services to make sure data moves quickly and securely across government and business platforms. The UAE is also partnering with major global tech companies such as Nvidia and Microsoft to boost innovation and share expertise. These partnerships are key to making the most of big data technologies. The only question here is that UAE may be ahead in collecting data, but the next step is governance: how it handles data privacy, security, and ownership. As more services go digital, questions around who owns this data, and how it's used are becoming louder. Still, the UAE's vision is clear: by 2030, it wants to be a global leader in data-driven governance. The goal is a government that makes smarter decisions, responds faster, and offers better services, all powered by big data and AI.
Borneo Post
23-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Malaysia finalises national technology action plan
Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation delivers his speech at the United Nations Public Service Forum 2025 today. – Bernama photo SAMARKAND (June 23): Malaysia is currently finalising the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology Action Plan which sets a clear governance framework to ensure that AI serves not only efficiency, but also ethics, equity, and public interest. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the plan focuses on key sectors such as education, healthcare, energy, and agriculture, while building Malaysia's AI talent pipeline within the public sector and among youth. 'We are all aware that technology is not neutral. It must reflect the values of the society it serves,' he said in his speech at the United Nations Public Service Forum 2025 here today. Fadillah, who is also the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, noted that structural reform in the civil service must be accompanied by system transformation. In this regard, digitalisation has become both the enabler and accelerator of change. Guided by the MyDigital Blueprint and the Public Service Digitalisation Strategic Plan, Fadillah said Malaysia has digitised over 500 government services and streamlined access through secure platforms such as MyDigital ID and real-time dashboards, he added. The United Nations Public Service Forum 2025 is held between June 23-25. – Bernama
Filipino Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
UAE establishes new Ministry of Foreign Trade, adds AI system to national policymaking
The UAE government has announced a major reshuffle, including the creation of a Ministry of Foreign Trade and the renaming of the Ministry of Economy. These changes were made following consultations and the approval of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, confirmed that Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi has been appointed as Minister of Foreign Trade. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy will now be called the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, to be led by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri. Another key change involves the integration of the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) System into high-level decision-making. Starting January 2026, the AI system will serve as an advisory member in the Council of Ministers, the Ministerial Development Council, and in the boards of all federal entities and government companies. This AI system will help support real-time analysis, provide technical advice, and improve the effectiveness of government policies. It is designed to boost decision-making speed and accuracy across all sectors. 'The world is undergoing a comprehensive transformation phase—scientifically, economically, and socially—our goal is to prepare today for the coming decades. Our goal is to ensure continued prosperity and a dignified life for future generations,' said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. The leadership emphasized that these reforms aim to strengthen the UAE's global competitiveness, particularly in trade, tourism, and technology, which are important to many Filipino professionals and businesses living and working in the country.
New Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia finalises National Technology Action Plan
SAMARKAND: Malaysia is currently finalising the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology Action Plan which sets a clear governance framework to ensure that AI serves not only efficiency, but also ethics, equity, and public interest. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the plan focuses on key sectors such as education, healthcare, energy, and agriculture, while building Malaysia's AI talent pipeline within the public sector and among youth. "We are all aware that technology is not neutral. It must reflect the values of the society it serves," he said in his speech at the United Nations Public Service Forum 2025 here today. Fadillah, who is also the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, noted that structural reform in the civil service must be accompanied by system transformation. In this regard, digitalisation has become both the enabler and accelerator of change. Guided by the MyDigital Blueprint and the Public Service Digitalisation Strategic Plan, Fadillah said Malaysia has digitised over 500 government services and streamlined access through secure platforms such as MyDigital ID and real-time dashboards, he added. The United Nations Public Service Forum 2025 is held between June 23-25.
