Telenor Pakistan’s AI Day: Powering Innovation & Future Skills for a Digital Pakistan

Telenor Pakistan Hosts AI Day to Propel Innovation and Future Skills

Telenor Pakistan recently hosted an impactful AI Day, transforming its 345 headquarters in Islamabad into a hub of innovation and learning. The event featured a dynamic mix of interactive sessions, awards, expert discussions, and an illuminating Expo, all designed to spotlight the incredible potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to reshape industries, redefine essential skills, and influence society as a whole. More than just a celebration, AI Day aimed to spark awareness, foster critical dialogue, and offer practical insights into the responsible application of AI across various sectors.

A major highlight of the day was the grand unveiling of “AI Verse,” a dedicated AI-focused learning pathway. This new initiative is set to empower Telenor employees with the cutting-edge skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven future.

The agenda was packed with engaging content, including a compelling panel discussion where industry leaders delved into AI’s crucial role in fueling Pakistan’s economic growth, while also tackling the regulatory hurdles that come with this powerful technology. To make AI accessible to everyone, Telenor also introduced “AI for Everyone,” an introductory session focusing on prompt engineering and practical AI tools that anyone can use. Attendees also explored the vibrant AI Expo, which proudly showcased 10 live AI projects, with the teams behind them on hand to explain their groundbreaking work.

Telenor Pakistan’s innovation truly shone at the Telenor Group AI Awards. Their remarkable project, ‘Thunder,’ a pioneering application of AI in energy management, clinched the top honor in the coveted ‘AI for Innovation’ category, celebrating its groundbreaking impact across business units. The enthusiasm for AI was further evident in the AI Hackathon, which saw an impressive 105 teams from Pakistan submit their innovative ideas – making it the second-highest participation across the entire Telenor Group.

Fridjtof Rusten, CEO of Telenor Pakistan, articulated the broader vision for the nation. “AI is no longer a distant concept; it’s here, reshaping industries, redefining skills, and transforming how we live and work,” he stated. “For Pakistan, this presents an enormous opportunity to leapfrog into a digital-first future and unlock new avenues for progress. We are committed to harnessing AI not just to drive innovation, but to empower people, strengthen businesses, and accelerate inclusive economic growth so its benefits reach every corner of society.”

Awais Vohra, Chief Technology Officer at Telenor Pakistan, emphasized AI’s transformative nature for the telecommunications industry. “AI represents a paradigm shift, moving beyond a specialized tool to a general-purpose technology with far-reaching impacts across various industries and society,” Vohra explained. “For our sector, Telecommunications, AI is a powerful enabler, assisting in planning and operating smart, efficient networks that deliver personalized services. AI provides the ‘brain’ for automated systems, services, and decision-making. We firmly believe in the ethical use of AI – technology that is transparent, aligned with human values, benefits society, and inherently protects privacy. AI Day is a vital step forward in cultivating a culture where our people can learn, experiment with, and apply AI responsibly, contributing to a sustainable future.”

Through initiatives like AI Day, Telenor Pakistan continues to solidify its position as a frontrunner in digital transformation. The company is actively fostering collaboration between industry experts and emerging talent, while proactively preparing Pakistan’s workforce to confidently embrace the vast opportunities of an AI-driven future.