Pakistan has pledged to invest $1 billion in artificial intelligence by 2030, signalling a major policy shift as the government seeks to position the country within the global digital economy. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the plan at the opening of Indus AI Week 2026, outlining a broad strategy to develop a national AI ecosystem. The initiative is intended to strengthen technological capacity, expand research, and prepare the workforce for emerging digital demands. A central component of the programme is education reform. Authorities plan to introduce artificial intelligence curricula in schools across the country, including in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and remote areas of Balochistan. The aim is to equip students with skills relevant to future employment markets. The strategy also includes the award of 1,000 fully funded PhD scholarships in AI by 2030. These are expected to support advanced research and contribute to the establishment of national research centres focused on emer ging technologies. Beyond academia, the government intends to train one million non-IT professionals in artificial intelligence. This initiative is designed to enhance productivity across multiple sectors and improve income opportunities by integrating digital tools into traditional industries. Officials have identified agriculture, mines and minerals, industry, and trade as key areas for AI deployment. The emphasis reflects an effort to apply advanced technologies to core economic sectors, rather than limiting their use to specialised fields. Indus AI Week 2026, held from February 9 to 15, serves as the country's primary platform for shaping AI policy and fostering collaboration among policymakers, innovators, and investors. The event highlights the government's ambition to build a coordinated approach to technological development. The planned investment underscores a broader recognition of artificial intelligence as a transformative force. By combining education, research funding, and workforce training , policymakers aim to integrate digital innovation into Pakistan's economic framework while preparing its population for a rapidly evolving global landscape.