Google to provide 150,000 Career Certificates, free AI Plus, Gemini access to Pakistani students

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Google on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating the country’s digital transformation, expanding digital skills and boosting IT exports and innovation, as the government seeks to grow the digital economy to $30 billion by 2030.

The agreement was signed during a reception hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in honour of the Google team in Islamabad, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Under the MoU, Pakistan and Google will expand cooperation in digital skills, artificial intelligence, IT exports, digital payments, e-commerce and the use of technology to improve public service delivery.

As part of the collaboration, Google has set a target of providing 150,000 Google Career Certificates in Pakistan in 2026, helping young people acquire skills relevant to the digital economy and global job market.

The government and Google also agreed to expand access to Google’s advanced artificial intelligence tools for Pakistani students. Under the initiative, students will receive free access for one year to Google AI Plus and Gemini, along with other advanced AI tools.

The two sides also agreed to cooperate on establishing an AI Centre of Excellence in Islamabad. The centre will focus on developing the skills of Pakistani youth and human resources in line with the requirements of international markets.

Focus on IT exports and digital economy

A key component of the agreement is the preparation of a roadmap to increase Pakistan’s IT exports and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in the global technology market.

The government has decided to establish a task force comprising representatives of the government, Google and other relevant stakeholders. The task force will identify obstacles to IT export growth and explore opportunities for expanding Pakistan’s presence in international technology markets.

The initiative is part of Prime Minister Shehbaz’s broader vision of taking Pakistan’s IT exports and digital economy to $30 billion by 2030.

The collaboration will also focus on enabling Pakistani small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access international markets through digital platforms.

AI to be used in government, agriculture and taxation

Pakistan and Google agreed to explore greater use of artificial intelligence in government affairs and public service delivery to make state institutions more efficient.

The cooperation will also cover the Federal Board of Revenue’s digitisation programme, particularly the use of AI in data analytics.

In agriculture, the two sides will explore the use of AI for crop monitoring and forecasting, as well as promoting sustainable farming practices.

The government and Google will also work together to strengthen Pakistan’s digital payments ecosystem and expand the scope of digital commerce.

Support for startups, gaming and app development

The agreement includes cooperation to improve the global competitiveness of Pakistan’s mobile application and gaming industries.

The two sides also agreed to create greater opportunities for young Pakistanis in digital skills, startups and technology, with the aim of helping local talent compete in international markets.

The government believes the partnership will help create new opportunities for Pakistani youth, strengthen the country’s technology ecosystem and support the growth of startups and digital businesses.

The MoU is expected to provide a framework for deeper cooperation between Pakistan and Google in emerging technologies and digital development, with the government describing the partnership as an important step towards a new phase of digital transformation and innovation in the country.