Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) has issued a directive requiring all public and private universities to include Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a compulsory subject in every undergraduate and postgraduate degree program, officials said on Thursday.
Under the new policy, universities must offer a three‑credit‑hour course on AI covering foundational concepts, ethical implications, data privacy and its societal impact. The directive allows institutions to structure the subject as an elective, an interdisciplinary module, or a supporting course within existing degree frameworks, giving colleges flexibility in implementation.
The requirement is set to take effect from the Fall 2026 academic session, with institutions urged to begin curriculum development immediately to ensure readiness. HEC officials said the move responds to the rapidly expanding role of AI across sectors such as education, healthcare, governance and the economy, and aims to equip graduates with crucial digital and technological literacy.
The decision follows broader national initiatives to strengthen Pakistan’s technological capacity, including recent government commitments to invest in AI ecosystems and training programs. Supporters of the policy say early exposure to AI education will help prepare students for a future increasingly shaped by digital innovation and global competition.