Artificial intelligence and digital tools: Over 1,000 SMEs across nine cities will receive training

According to Business Recorder, more than 1,000 SMEs in nine cities are set to gain artificial intelligence and digital skills through a new initiative. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication launched the Small Business Growth Academy on Tuesday in partnership with Meta. Both in-person and online sessions will be offered, with extra attention for women-owned firms and operators in textiles, handicrafts and IT services.

The cities covered are Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan, Hyderabad, Peshawar and Quetta. The programme seeks to help small firms apply AI-enabled tools and digital platforms so they can boost their online visibility, sharpen marketing, automate customer communication and find openings in domestic and foreign markets. Federal Minister Shaza Khawaja said that SMEs form the foundation of the national economy, and that building their digital and AI capacity supports inclusive, innovation-led growth.

The programme is part of Meta's wider small-business training effort covering 12 markets in the Asia-Pacific region, including Pakistan. Atom Camp, a Pakistan-based learning and consulting firm, will deliver the workshops and structured modules, backed by Ignite National Technology Fund, the Pakistan Software Export Board, P@SHA, SMEDA and Dial Zero. The initiative is expected to help smaller firms that have long struggled to adopt digital tools owing to limited technical capacity and little access to specialised training.