ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched a groundbreaking national initiative to democratize artificial intelligence education, with the ACT AI program now accepting applications for free eight-week training across approximately 100 universities nationwide. The program represents the country’s first coordinated, university-level AI skills initiative, aiming to equip youth with competencies required for the global digital economy.
The Memorandum of Understanding formalizing the ACT AI (Awareness, Competency & Tools Training for Artificial Intelligence) initiative was signed at the Prime Minister’s Office under the chairmanship of Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme. This public-private partnership brings together the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), the Higher Education Commission Pakistan (HEC), and AI SkillBridge, a subsidiary of AXI Technologies.
“This initiative marks a significant step toward preparing our youth for the technological future,” said program officials. “By providing free, accessible AI education, we’re creating pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and participation in the digital economy.” The program will train up to 6,000 students per cohort with a strong focus on inclusion, including a targeted 50:50 gender participation ratio and enrollment from diverse academic backgrounds beyond computer science.
Students can now register through the official portal at actai.aiskillbridge.pk, with university focal persons activated nationwide to facilitate the process. The first cohort is expected to begin training in the coming weeks, with subsequent cohorts running in two-month cycles to ensure sustained nationwide impact.
The intensive eight-week, competency-based program will deliver practical, job-ready skills in generative AI, agentic AI systems, AI productivity tools, automation, and sector-specific applications. Training will be delivered through synchronized live sessions broadcast from Islamabad via the HEC Smart Classroom network, ensuring standardized, high-quality instruction at national scale.
Structured around core pillars including Foundations of AI, AI Applications Across Sectors, AI for Economic Empowerment, and Future of AI and National Preparedness, the curriculum is designed to prepare students for AI-enabled employment opportunities. The program covers institutions from all four provinces as well as Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, reflecting a commitment to nationwide accessibility.
Under the partnership framework, NAVTTC will serve as the national endorsement body, ensuring alignment with federal skills development priorities, while HEC provides institutional access through its nationwide university network. AI SkillBridge, supported by AXI Technologies, will lead program execution including curriculum design, training delivery, digital infrastructure, and student management.
The initiative comes as countries worldwide accelerate artificial intelligence education to remain competitive in the global economy. Similar programs in other nations have shown significant impact on workforce readiness and technological innovation.
As Pakistan positions itself in the digital landscape, the ACT AI program represents a strategic investment in human capital. With the global AI market projected for substantial growth, such initiatives could prove crucial for economic development and technological sovereignty. The program’s success may influence future technology education policies across the developing world.
Source: ARY News