Islamabad: The Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA) and the United Nations University (UNU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Indus AI Week 2026 to accelerate Project GovAI, a Digital Micro-Learning and Upskilling Program for civil and public servants.
The MoU establishes a time-bound discovery and testing phase to assess learning design, curriculum architecture, and platform options; run early pilots (micro-trainings, webinars, and e-learning) to validate localisation, engagement, and measurement; and produce an evidence-based decision package and sustainability model for potential scale-up.
Over time, PDA and UNU will explore whether GovAI can evolve into a reusable and sustainable national and global digital public good, including modular learning pathways, implementation playbooks, and governance approaches that other countries can adapt for responsible AI capacity building in government.
Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Pakistan Shaza Fatima Khawaja said: “AI is a national priority for Pakistan, and we will use it to make government services faster, simpler, and fairer for everyone. With this MoU between the Pakistan Digital Authority and the United Nations University, GovAI will build practical skills across the public sector so we can cut bureaucracy, make it easier to do business, and widen access to services for all citizens.”
She said this is how Pakistan will accelerate inclusive growth and deliver a future-ready Digital Nation under the vision of the Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan.
GovAI is designed to enable the AI upskilling of over one million Pakistani civil servants by 2028. This supports PDA’s leadership role in Pakistan’s five-year Digital Master Plan by focusing on the capability layer needed to deliver modern, trusted digital public services.
Vice Chairperson PDA Mohammad J Sear said: “Digital transformation is moving faster than ever. GovAI will help ensure our civil service has the practical AI skills and governance capability needed to deliver the Digital Master Plan and improve services for people and businesses across Pakistan.”
“AI is reshaping development pathways. Building public sector capacity to use AI responsibly is essential to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, the Global Digital Compact, and strengthening global cooperation for sustainable development,” said Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University.
Coordinated by UNU-EGOV, the collaboration will draw on experts across the UNU system, including UNU-IAS, UNU-MERIT, and the UNU Institute in Macao, among others.
Director of UNU-EGOV Delfina Soares added that sustainable and inclusive transformation depends on governance and capacity, not technology alone. GovAI will focus on the skills, institutional practices, and trust foundations that turn AI into measurable public value and socio-economic progress.
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