LAHORE: A meeting reviewed proposal regarding integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with the early education in Punjab to prepare students for future technological challenges at the foundational level.

The meeting was convened at the office of AI & Special Initiatives, co-chaired by Advisor to the Chief Minister on AI and Special Initiatives Ali Dar and Provincial Minister for Education Rana Sikandar Hayat.

Parliamentary Secretary for Education Nausheen Adnan Anjum, Punjab Education, Curriculum, Training and Assessment Authority (Pectaa) CEO Syed Musa Bukhari and other senior officials also attended the meeting.

The meeting reviewed proposals to integrate AI education with early grades syllabus, ensuring that students acquire future-ready skills from the foundational level. Officials emphasised project-based learning, with up to 65 percent of the curriculum dedicated to practical and hands-on training.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Dar said equipping Punjab’s youth with modern technological skills is essential in today’s world. He noted that the proposed curriculum would cover digital literacy, computational thinking, robotics and ethical AI practices.

Highlighting the role of teachers, Mr Dar stressed that modern training and capacity building would be critical to transforming the education system.

He added that empowering Pakistan’s young population through AI would open new avenues of innovation and economic growth.

Punjab is set to become the first province in Pakistan to introduce a comprehensive AI curriculum, in line with the chief minister’s directive to integrate AI with education at the earliest.

Final recommendations in this regard have been compiled and forwarded to the chief minister for approval.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2026