More than 10,000 aspiring developers and technology enthusiasts from across Pakistan took part in AI Seekho 2026, a nationwide artificial intelligence (AI) competition that concluded on June 8 with an award ceremony in Islamabad, as organizers hailed the initiative as a step toward building a stronger pipeline of AI talent for the country’s digital economy.
The initiative, organized by Telenor Pakistan in collaboration with Google, the Ministry of IT & Telecommunications (MoITT), and Innovista, engaged over 7,000 participants and awarded PKR 2.5 million in prizes to teams developing AI-powered solutions for real-world challenges.
The closing ceremony, held at Telenor Pakistan’s headquarters in Islamabad, was attended by Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Telenor Pakistan CEO Awais Vohra, Google Regional Lead, Developer & Builder Ecosystem Saad Hamid, Innovista CEO Hisham Sarwar, and other industry stakeholders.
Thousands participate in AI Seekho 2026
According to the organizers, AI Seekho 2026 received more than 10,000 registrations for its online challenge, with professional developers accounting for 40% of the total participants, reflecting growing interest in artificial intelligence across Pakistan.
The program engaged more than 7,000 participants, brought together over 2,600 teams, and generated more than 600 submissions through regional and national competitions.
Using Google’s latest AI technologies, participants developed applications and interactive experiences across multiple sectors, showcasing technical expertise, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Following regional evaluations, six finalist teams advanced to the national finale to compete for prizes worth PKR 2.5 million.
Winning Teams
Struggler Karachi secured first place in the competition, while Nurture Islamabad finished second and Vibronix Lahore claimed third position.
The winning teams were recognized for developing innovative AI-powered solutions and demonstrating strong technical capabilities throughout the competition.
Government sees AI talent as key to national strategy
Speaking at the ceremony, Shaza Fatima Khawaja said initiatives such as AI Seekho play an important role in developing the workforce needed to support Pakistan’s AI ambitions.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and participants of AI Seekho 2026. As Pakistan advances its National AI Policy, initiatives like this pay a vital role in building the talent pipeline needed for an AI ready Pakistan. Our vision is clear: to ensure that every Pakistani has the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the AI revolution”.
The minister’s remarks come as Pakistan continues efforts to formulate policies and programs aimed at accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies and strengthening the country’s digital economy.
Industry leaders highlight innovation and skills development
Awais Vohra, CEO of Telenor Pakistan, said the scale of participation demonstrated the country’s potential to contribute to the global AI ecosystem.
“AI Seekho reflects our commitment to Pakistan’s digitalization and to equip people with the skills to turn technology into real impact. I congratulate the winning teams and commend every participant for the curiosity and determination they brought to this journey. The scale of the response and the quality of the ideas confirm that Pakistan has the talent to be a meaningful contributor to the global AI ecosystem. To our young innovators: keep building, keep questioning, and keep shaping the technologies that will define our future”.
Saad Hamid, Regional Lead, Developer & Builder Ecosystem at Google, said the initiative helped participants gain access to advanced AI tools and learning opportunities.
“Through AI Seekho, we are helping developers unlock the potential of cutting-edge AI technologies and transform ideas into meaningful solutions. The program demonstrates how access to the right tools and learning opportunities can accelerate innovation at scale.”
Hisham Sarwar, CEO of Innovista, said the initiative created opportunities for aspiring innovators from diverse backgrounds to develop and showcase their skills.
“AI Seekho has opened doors for aspiring talent from diverse backgrounds, providing a platform to learn, create, and showcase their capabilities. Initiatives like this strengthen Pakistan’s innovation ecosystem and help prepare future leaders for an increasingly technology-driven world.”
Building a future-ready workforce
AI Seekho 2026 aimed to expand access to AI education through learning opportunities, mentorship, and ecosystem support.
Beyond technical training, the program focused on helping participants develop skills in product development, design thinking, problem-solving, and storytelling, which organizers said are essential for transforming ideas into scalable solutions.
As AI adoption accelerates globally, initiatives such as AI Seekho are increasingly being viewed as important platforms for nurturing local talent and strengthening Pakistan’s position in the rapidly evolving technology landscape.