A specialized training workshop titled “ICT and Artificial Intelligence for Improved Service Delivery: Conceptual Understanding, Potential, and Application” was successfully held at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Lahore, for civil servants and officers from federal and provincial government departments. The workshop was designed to introduce participants to the core concepts of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and to explore their transformative impact on modern public sector governance.

The workshop was conducted under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Waqar ul Qounain Jaffry, Chairman of the Department of Information Technology and Director of the National Centre of Artificial Intelligence at the University of the Punjab. Dr. Jaffry delivered comprehensive insights into the global landscape of AI in governance, highlighting best practices, AI-powered decision-making, machine learning applications, and the ethical dimensions of AI use in the public sector.

Participants were exposed to global benchmarks from Estonia, Singapore, and the UAE, alongside successful Pakistani implementations such as NADRA’s digital identity systems, the Punjab Safe City Project, and various e-governance initiatives led by PITB.

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Core principles of ICT and the role of data in public sector governance

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Applications of machine learning and generative AI for improved efficiency and transparency

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Ethical AI frameworks emphasizing fairness, accountability, and human oversight

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Comparative case studies from both international and local contexts

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Hands-on, scenario-based group activities on AI applications in governance

Civil servants actively participated in discussions and collaborative exercises focusing on the potential of AI in disaster preparedness, traffic management, healthcare, and service delivery enhancement. The session emphasized the critical importance of planning and ethical integration of AI to promote transparency, responsiveness, and citizen trust.

Dr. Jaffry underscored the pressing need for digital transformation across public institutions and the development of data literacy among government officials. He remarked:

This initiative represents a significant step toward equipping Pakistan’s public administration with the knowledge and tools necessary for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, fostering both digital readiness and responsible AI integration.