BEIJING: Artificial Intelligence (AI), a key driving force in the ongoing technological revolution and industrial transformation, holds the potential to significantly enhance social productivity. Despite being a late entrant, China has made substantial strides in AI development in recent years.
Responding to the growing interest from Pakistani companies in partnering with their Chinese counterparts in the AI field, the China-Pakistan Cooperation Center on Technical Standardization organized a China-Pakistan Artificial Intelligence Industry Cooperation Matchmaking meeting on September 13th.
During the meeting, five Chinese companies and five Pakistani companies showcased their businesses and articulated their specific requirements. They presented their latest technologies, including digital human, chatbot, and AI transformation services, as reported by CEN on Friday.
Huang Hao, the President of the Chengdu Institute of Standardization, highlighted the collaborative journey between their institute and the Institute of Quality and Technology Management (IQTM) at the University of the Punjab. This partnership led to the establishment of the China-Pakistan Cooperation Center on Technical Standardization in 2020. Over the years, they have collaborated across various domains, encompassing traditional Chinese medicine, food, and information technology. Huang Hao also revealed that this meeting marked the first of five IT subsector meetings planned by the center for the coming months.
A representative from Tkxel, one of the Pakistani participants, noted the distinct strengths of each country in the AI sector. Pakistan boasts a larger number of service companies providing AI services, while China primarily offers AI products. The exchange of ideas and capabilities is expected to help both nations better understand each other’s requirements and offerings, representing a significant opportunity for AI cooperation between Pakistan and China. Additionally, there is potential for joint research and development centers, allowing Chinese and Pakistani companies to collaborate and make advancements in the AI field together.
Dr. Muhammad Usman Awan, a professor at IQTM in the University of the Punjab, emphasized the importance of prompt agreements for mutual benefit among the ten participating companies. He highlighted the significance of technical cooperation and efficient utilization of available skills as the way forward. He encouraged companies to engage with each other independently after the meeting and suggested that this session could mark the beginning of a new era of technological collaboration between China and Pakistan.
Mr. Yu Jingyang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chengdu Software Industry Association, was also present at the session. He extended an invitation to all attendees to participate in the 21st China International Software Cooperation Conference, a prestigious and influential event in the software industry scheduled to be held in Chengdu in December. This conference offers a platform to explore additional avenues for cooperation between China and Pakistan in the AI sector.
