Artificial intelligence in Pakistan’s corporate sector is no longer a concept of the future. Today, it has become a reality for many companies. Businesses now see artificial intelligence in Pakistan’s corporate sector as a key tool for growth and competitiveness.
Initially, only a few technology-focused companies experimented with AI. However, the trend has grown steadily over the past decade. Now both government policies and private investment are pushing companies toward digital transformation.
A major milestone came in 2017. Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited partnered with the US-based applied AI company Afiniti. PTCL became the first company in Pakistan to deploy Afiniti’s behavioural pairing technology at scale. The system used artificial intelligence to match callers with suitable agents. As a result, customer service and sales performance improved.
The development also highlighted Pakistan’s local talent. Afiniti had development teams working in Karachi and Lahore. This showed that the country already had skilled professionals capable of handling advanced technology projects.
In the following years, the foundation of an AI ecosystem began to form. A 2022 CW Pakistan report noted that many local AI engineers were working for global companies such as Google and Microsoft. At the same time, demand for AI expertise started growing within Pakistan’s own corporate environment.
Several national initiatives also helped strengthen this progress. The Presidential Initiative for Artificial Intelligence and Computing launched in 2018 to train students and professionals in emerging technologies. Meanwhile, the National Centre of Artificial Intelligence began producing research-driven talent from universities.
Even so, early adoption remained mostly experimental. Experts pointed out that many businesses lacked clean and structured data. Because of this limitation, companies struggled to scale their AI systems effectively.
However, the situation has started changing quickly. The year 2025 marked a major turning point. Government policies and corporate interest began to align, accelerating the use of AI across industries.
In January 2025, the government introduced the Digital Nation Pakistan Act. The law created the Pakistan Digital Authority to coordinate national digital initiatives. Later that year, the federal cabinet approved the National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2025. The policy introduced a six-pillar strategy designed to expand AI development and innovation.
Momentum continued into 2026. During Indus AI Week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a one-billion-dollar plan to support AI development by 2030. The initiative includes funding for 1,000 PhD scholarships and a program to train one million non-IT professionals in advanced technology skills.
Business groups welcomed the move. The Pakistan Software Houses Association said the private sector was ready to transform policy plans into export-driven opportunities.
Recent surveys also show strong corporate confidence. According to the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Confidence Index Wave 28, overall business confidence rose above 22 percent in December 2025. Importantly, 43 percent of surveyed companies are already using generative AI tools.
Even more companies expect deeper integration soon. In fact, 81 percent believe AI will manage important business operations in the near future. These numbers show that artificial intelligence in Pakistan’s corporate sector is moving beyond experiments and becoming part of core business strategies.
Market research firms also expect rapid growth. Reports highlight financial services, healthcare, retail and manufacturing as the main sectors driving AI demand.
Fintech is one of the fastest-growing areas. In early 2026, global digital operator VEON Group invested 20 million dollars in Mobilink Bank. Around the same time, international investor network Epic Angels backed Karachi-based fintech startup Neem.
Investment activity is also expanding through venture capital funds. Gobi Partners plans to launch Techxila Fund II with a target of 50 million dollars. The fund will support high-potential sectors such as fintech and emerging technologies.
Digital infrastructure is also improving. The Raast digital payment platform now serves 48 million users and connects with 53 banks. This expansion supports the government’s plan to make digital transactions easier and more affordable.
International technology companies are also increasing their presence in the country. German software company SAP is expanding its operations in Pakistan. The company is promoting cloud-based AI platforms such as RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP to help businesses build digital-first systems.
However, challenges still remain. Experts say Pakistan still lacks dedicated AI infrastructure and large-scale funding outside academic programs. In addition, companies face a shortage of highly trained professionals in advanced artificial intelligence fields.
Technology analysts also warn about another issue. Many businesses currently focus on adopting existing AI technologies rather than developing original algorithms. Without stronger research and innovation, Pakistan may remain a fast follower instead of a global leader.
Despite these concerns, the progress is clear. With growing investment, policy support and rising corporate demand, artificial intelligence in Pakistan is entering a new phase of expansion and opportunity.
