LAHORE: A Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence Laboratory has been launched at Punjab University Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, established in partnership with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the Turkish government's development cooperation organization. The laboratory's inauguration was marked by the presence of Turkish Consul General Mehmet Eymen Simsek, TIKA Vice President Ali Erjan, and several university officials, including Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. Mahmood Saleem and Dean FCIT Prof Dr. Shahzad Sarwar.

According to University of the Punjab, TIKA Vice President Ali Erjan emphasized the agency's commitment to enhancing cooperation with institutions in Pakistan, with a focus on supporting educational development. Highlighting the rapid advancement of AI, Erjan noted its significant potential across various sectors, including education, health, research, and public services. He underscored the importance of understanding the societal impact of these technologies, a vision that the new laboratory aims to embody. The facility is expected to serve as a platform for students and researchers to hone technical skills while exploring the broader implications of AI systems.

Consul General Mehmet Eymen Simsek reiterated the goal of strengthening academic ties between Türkiye and Pakistan, noting that TIKA is financially backing several initiatives at Pakistani educational institutions to foster educational cooperation. Prof Dr. Shahzad Sarwar highlighted the modern computing resources available at the laboratory and announced a joint research agreement with Yildiz Technical University in Türkiye. This partnership will facilitate collaborative research projects and exchanges of faculty and students, aiming to develop specialized courses and teaching programs in artificial intelligence.