Pakistan seeks partners to prepare country’s workforce for an AI-driven future - bolnews.com

Oh, splendid — Pakistan has issued a Request for Proposal for a training company to lead a 'massive AI overhaul' under the National AI Advancement Initiative. Because nothing says 'prepared for an AI-driven future' like outsourcing your entire workforce strategy to the lowest bidder. The government is offering 'policy incentives' and upskilling programs, which probably means a few online courses and some very optimistic PowerPoint slides.

This is the same country where basic digital literacy is still a work in progress — but sure, let's leapfrog straight to AI nirvana through a procurement process. The RFP will likely attract the usual suspects: consulting firms that will produce glossy reports, run a few workshops, and then evaporate once the contract ends. Meanwhile, the real AI revolution will be happening elsewhere, leaving Pakistan's workforce with certificates they can't actually use.

And let's not forget the 'policy incentives' — that's politician-speak for 'we'll talk about it a lot and maybe form a committee.' The entire initiative smells of the classic development trap: announce grand plans, invite tenders, spend money, produce nothing tangible. The country's workforce will be 'prepared' in the same way a student is prepared for an exam after skimming the textbook the night before. Ah well, at least the consulting firms will have a good year.