Pakistan unveils its first official AI avatar ‘Laila’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has officially launched its first artificial intelligence (AI) avatar, ‘Laila’, marking a major step in the country’s efforts to integrate AI into public life and the economy.

The announcement was made at a special government event attended by senior policymakers, technology experts, and industry leaders. The Federal Minister for Information and Technology described Laila as a “path-breaking initiative” that demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to developing its AI sector.

According to the minister, Laila is more than just a symbolic project. The AI avatar is designed to assist citizens with educational support, guide them on civic services, and communicate in multiple languages, making technology more accessible to the general public.

The launch also highlighted the government’s broader AI strategy, which aims to train 100,000 people in AI by 2030, fund 1,000 AI startups, support 400 university projects, and develop 50 sector-specific AI models across industries.

Experts say the initiative could become a milestone for Pakistan’s technological and economic development, helping position the country as a regional hub for AI innovation while improving public service delivery.

The unveiling of Laila signals Pakistan’s increasing focus on digital transformation and underscores the government’s vision of leveraging AI to empower citizens, support industries, and drive innovation across sectors.