Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced a major step toward modernizing the province’s education system by making the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) mandatory in schools. The decision aims to align education with emerging technologies and prepare students and teachers for a rapidly evolving digital future.
Alongside this initiative, the Punjab government has also decided to establish the Google Tech Valley Digital Transformation Advisory Board, marking a significant collaboration between the public sector and global technology platforms.
“Empowering Punjab with AI” Workshop
The announcement was made during an official workshop titled “Empowering Punjab with AI”, attended by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and provincial cabinet members. The workshop focused on introducing policymakers to practical applications of AI in governance, education, and policy development.
Participants were briefed on the effective use of Google Gemini tools, AI-driven governance models, and policy framework development. Discussions also covered operational policymaking, sector-wise reforms, and data-driven analysis of policy summaries using AI tools.
AI as a Tool for Policy and Governance
Speaking at the workshop, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized that digital technology has the power to transform thinking and working styles. She stated that AI assistance in policymaking and governance has become unavoidable and, when used responsibly, can lead to positive and long-lasting reforms.
She stressed that technology should not replace human judgment but rather enhance decision-making through efficiency, accuracy, and transparency.
Training Teachers and Students
During the briefing, officials revealed that 3,000 teachers are currently undergoing master-level training on the Google for Education platform. Additionally, more than 300,000 students have already been issued digital student IDs within the School Education Department.
Under the Punjab Education Foundation, 200,000 students and 2,000 teachers are also receiving AI and digital learning-related training, further expanding the program’s reach.
Boost for Digital Journalism
To promote digital journalism and modern media skills, the Punjab government has announced 1,000 scholarships for 10 institutions, aimed at equipping future journalists with digital and AI-based tools.
A Step Toward a Digital Punjab
The move to make AI mandatory in schools reflects Punjab’s broader vision of embracing innovation in education, governance, and media. By integrating artificial intelligence into classrooms and policymaking, the province is taking a significant step toward building a digitally empowered and future-ready generation.
