The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is smoothly expanding its role in shaping Pakistan’s economic and technological future in a sustainable manner. Initially recognized for its contribution to energy generation, transport infrastructure and regional connectivity, CPEC is now opening new avenues of cooperation in the digital economy, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI) between Pakistan and China. This emerging dimension of Pakistan-China cooperation represents an important step towards transforming the traditional economic partnership into a knowledge-driven and technology-oriented relationship.

As Pakistan and China advance the next phase of CPEC, artificial intelligence is becoming an important avenue of shared interest. Through technological cooperation, research partnerships, digital infrastructure, academic exchanges and human resource development, both countries are laying solid foundations for an AI-enabled economic ecosystem that can benefit industries, institutions, businesses and ordinary citizens in Pakistan.

The second phase of CPEC, commonly known as CPEC 2.0, places significant emphasis on industrial development, agriculture, innovation, technology and business-to-business cooperation. Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, big data, 5G connectivity and digital infrastructure are emerging as important areas within this expanded partnership.

The China-Pakistan Joint Working Group on Information Technology provides an institutional platform for advancing cooperation in information and communication technology, digital applications, cybersecurity and human resource development. The broader vision includes developing an innovative China-Pakistan Digital Corridor that can connect businesses, research institutions, universities and technology professionals in both countries.

An important foundation for Pakistan’s digital transformation is the 820-kilometre cross-border fibre-optic cable established under CPEC, connecting China’s........

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