Saudi firm to launch AI hub in Pakistan

Saudi Arabia’s GO Telecommunications Group is set to launch an Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub in Pakistan this month, aimed at developing digital solutions and empowering the country’s youth, Pakistan’s Ministry of IT and Telecommunications announced on Saturday.

The initiative was unveiled during the visit of Pakistan’s IT and Telecommunications Minister, Shaza Khawaja, to Saudi Arabia. Her trip focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation under Saudi Vision 2030 and Pakistan’s National AI Policy 2025.

In Riyadh, Khawaja met with GO Telecom CEO Yahya bin Saleh Al-Mansour to explore collaboration opportunities in digital infrastructure, AI, and human capital development.

“Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share a deep and evolving partnership rooted in mutual growth and digital progress,” Khawaja said. “The GO AI Hub Pakistan will help foster collaboration in emerging technologies, equip youth with digital skills, and accelerate our shared vision of a connected, knowledge-driven future.”

The GO AI Hub will serve as a dedicated center for AI and digital innovation, focusing on knowledge transfer, capacity building, and technical talent development. The project also includes plans for expanding digital infrastructure, developing data centers, and creating a technical talent development facility in Pakistan.

Al-Mansour highlighted the strategic importance of this collaboration, stating that the group’s entry into the Pakistani market supports its vision of diversification and stronger ties with “friendly and brotherly nations.”

Khawaja also held talks with Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, President of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), to further strengthen cooperation in AI and cybersecurity.

Saudi Arabia is advancing its Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy away from oil, focusing on sectors like health, education, IT, infrastructure, tourism, and digital transformation.

Pakistan, meanwhile, adopted its National AI Policy 2025 in July to promote AI adoption, improve public services, and generate employment. The policy aims to launch 50,000 AI-based civic initiatives and 1,000 locally developed AI products over five years. It also plans to distribute 3,000 AI scholarships annually and support 1,000 research projects to promote inclusive AI use.