Pakistan Must Increase Investment in Research, Skills and Technology, Says Mian Kashif Ashfaq

LAHORE, Aug. 2 (Special Correspondent): Chief Executive Officer of the Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Mian Kashif Ashfaq on Sunday said Pakistan must significantly increase investment in research, skills development and technology to keep pace with the rapidly evolving global race in artificial intelligence (AI).

Addressing a meeting of the Pakistan Furniture Council’s Board of Directors in Lahore, he said the real success of developing countries lies not merely in gaining access to AI technologies but in building the capacity to develop, adopt and effectively utilize them.

Mian Kashif Ashfaq welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s announcement at the opening of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, in which China pledged to support innovation, AI applications and governance in developing countries, including Pakistan.

He said Pakistan’s National Artificial Intelligence Policy should prioritize AI infrastructure, investment, workforce training and research to enable the country to compete effectively in the global digital economy.

He further said Pakistan should expand cooperation with China and other member countries participating in the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in areas such as research, human resource development, computing infrastructure and technology transfer. He also emphasized the need for Pakistan to support an inclusive global AI governance framework that reflects the needs, challenges and realities of developing countries.