S Punjab Secretariat first to start AI for service delivery

MULTAN: In a pioneering move for good governance, the South Punjab Secretariat has become the first public institution nationwide to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) Apps for service delivery.

South Punjab Additional Chief Secretary Fuad Hashim Rabbani hosted an awareness session here on Tuesday, featuring a demonstration by AI Consultant Dr Athar Mansoor, who introduced secretaries, special secretaries, of all departments in South Punjab to the potential of AI in streamlining public service delivery.

The event was attended by prominent figures from academia and government, including South Punjab Secretary Agriculture Saqib Ali Ateel, Secretary Services Engineer Amjad Shoaib Khan Tareen, Vice Chancellor Emerson University Muhammad Ramzan and all concerned highups of the department.

ACS Fuad Hashim Rabbani, while addressing the session, emphasised AI’s role in traffic management, poverty eradication, and agricultural development, particularly in enhancing crop yields and optimising pesticide use, livestock, and health. He announced plans for AI graduates’ internships in the agriculture department and the expansion of AI applications to health, education, and traffic control. He directed that a team comprising government officials, professors, and students will develop an integrated AI strategy with pilot projects in all departments for implementation in South Punjab within sixty days. Rabbani said AI will improve efficiency, transparency and accountability in administrative departments.Vice Chancellor Ramzan announced the start of a BS AI Faculty at Emerson University and offered support for government initiatives using AI in South Punjab.