By Azam Tariq

China's rapid adoption of artificial intelligence across education, healthcare, public services and industry offers valuable lessons for Pakistan as it begins implementing its National AI Policy 2025 and seeks to build a digitally skilled workforce.

The potential relevance of China's experience was highlighted at the World Intelligence Expo 2026 in Tianjin, where more than 700 exhibitors showcased AI-powered solutions ranging from smart classrooms and medical technologies to industrial automation and service robotics.

China's AI ecosystem has expanded rapidly in recent years. According to the National Data Administration, the country now holds around 60 percent of global AI patents, while its core AI industry has exceeded 1.2 trillion yuan (about $176 billion). Chinese technology companies are increasingly deploying AI solutions at scale, with iFLYTEK's smart education platform alone serving more than 50,000 schools and benefiting over 130 million teachers and students.

For Pakistan, the developments come at a critical time. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently approved the National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2025, which aims to expand access to AI technologies, improve public service delivery and train one million AI professionals by 2030.

Despite this ambition, Pakistan still faces significant digital challenges. According to Oxford Insights' Government AI Readiness Index, Pakistan ranks eighth among 17 South and Central Asian countries, trailing regional peers including India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Internet penetration remains at 45.7 percent, leaving more than half the population without access to digital services.

Speaking with Wealth Pakistan, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Usman Ghani Khan, Director of the National Centre of Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) and member of the National AI Task Force, said AI has the potential to address some of Pakistan's most pressing development challenges.

He noted that millions of children remain out of school, hospitals continue to face shortages of medical personnel and resources, while courts struggle with large backlogs of pending cases.

According to him, AI-powered technologies can support personalised learning, assist doctors in diagnosis and treatment planning, and help improve efficiency within the judicial system.

Dr. Usman said NCAI researchers are already developing AI applications for education, healthcare and legal services, supported by a growing body of local research and innovation.

He stressed that Pakistan must view artificial intelligence not merely as an emerging technology but as a practical tool for improving citizens' access to essential services.

Highlighting the foundations of a successful AI ecosystem, he said Pakistan requires wider access to quality data, stronger industry-academia collaboration, modern computing infrastructure and policies that encourage innovation while protecting users.

"Without our own systems and data, we will always depend on others and never truly lead," he said.

Established as a national consortium, NCAI has developed hundreds of AI-based products and solutions across multiple sectors and continues to support the country's growing AI ecosystem.

Similarly, Khet Kumar, founder of educational technology company Red Pi, said China's AI Education Action Plan demonstrates how governments can align education systems with future workforce requirements.

He observed that China is not treating AI as a standalone discipline but is integrating it throughout the learning process, from primary education and vocational training to higher education and lifelong learning.

Kumar said countries such as Singapore, South Korea, Finland and Japan are pursuing similar strategies by investing heavily in digital skills, AI literacy and teacher training.

For Pakistan, he argued, the most important lesson is the need to develop a practical and locally relevant AI education strategy that addresses national priorities and labour market needs.

He warned that traditional examination-driven education models risk leaving students unprepared for an economy increasingly shaped by automation and intelligent technologies.

According to Kumar, access to AI education must extend beyond elite institutions to government schools, underserved communities and remote regions if Pakistan hopes to build an inclusive digital economy.

He noted that initiatives such as AI literacy programmes, specialised textbooks, teacher training and robotics education are already helping introduce students to emerging technologies.

Credit: INP-WealthPk