LAHORE(National Times)- Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, during her visit to China, had a meeting with high-level delegation of leading Chinese technology company Alibaba Cloud, which expressed a keen interest in Punjab’s IT sector.

As per a press release on Sunday, the Alibaba Cloud officials appreciated Punjab’s AI-based governance initiatives.

The meeting discussed the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture, healthcare, socio-economic programmes and climate forecasting, while the possibility of establishing a strategic partnership for the use of AI in public services was also considered.

Ms Nawaz said that Punjab’s governance system is being integrated with artificial intelligence.

“We are pursuing a policy of using artificial intelligence and other technologies today rather than tomorrow,” she said.

The chief minister said Punjab was building the world’s largest public-sector cancer hospital.

She said Punjab had become the first province to establish an artificial intelligence policy. “The idea of teaching artificial intelligence to children in government schools came after seeing students in Beijing,” she said, adding that Punjab would welcome Chinese cooperation in artificial intelligence and other IT technologies.

Ms Nawaz said Punjab has the fourth largest young, skilled workforce and is a leader in terms of digital economy.

She said not only the government officials, but also members of the provincial cabinet had been provided AI training.

Alibaba Cloud Senior Vice President Li Jiaping briefed the chief minister about the company’s operations. Matters relating to small and medium enterprises for overseas Pakistanis were also discussed during the meeting.