Pakistan’s higher education landscape is about to see a significant change. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced that starting from Fall 2026, all public and private universities in the country will include a mandatory Artificial Intelligence (AI) course in their degree programs. This applies to both undergraduate and postgraduate programs and will carry three credit hours.
The move reflects the growing importance of AI in today’s digital world. With technology shaping almost every industry, from healthcare and education to business and governance, HEC aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in an AI-driven economy.
The AI course will cover fundamental concepts, practical applications, and ethical considerations such as data privacy, fairness, transparency, and accountability. Universities will have the flexibility to offer it as a core subject, an elective, or even an interdisciplinary module, but students will be required to complete it in order to graduate.
This initiative is more than just adding another course to the curriculum. It’s about preparing a generation of graduates who are digitally literate, aware of ethical implications, and capable of using AI responsibly in their careers. By doing so, Pakistani universities aim to ensure that their students remain competitive globally and ready to tackle challenges in an increasingly technology-driven world.