LAHORE: Acting Governor of Punjab Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has said that the future belongs to artificial intelligence and digital technology, and that AI and digital education must be introduced from primary school level between 2025 and 2030.
He was speaking as chief guest at the Hunarmand Punjab Scholarship ceremony held at Punjab University’s Al Raazi Hall on Thursday. Punjab Minister for Education Rana Sikandar Hayat, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali, faculty members, and a large number of students were present at the event.
Addressing the gathering, the Acting Governor said his generation faced a period of crisis due to the absence of digital skills. He noted that Punjab has around 60,000 government schools and said that only bold, system-level decisions—such as those taken by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz—can bring meaningful change.
Highlighting disparities in education spending, he compared the high monthly costs borne by private schools with the minimal annual expenditure per child in government schools. He stressed that special attention must be given to students enrolled in public institutions to ensure equity in opportunity.
Punjab Minister for Education Rana Sikandar Hayat said the provincial government is taking serious steps for youth education and welfare. He noted that auctioning shops at the flower market opposite Punjab University has significantly increased government revenue. He added that, in collaboration with Google, thousands of students have already completed digital courses.
Hayat said that over the next two years, digital skills will be provided to 500,000 children, one million digital courses will be conducted, and 4,000 AI laboratories are being established in high schools across Punjab.
