The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) has received a significant multi-year grant from the Gates Foundation to establish Pakistan’s first nationally coordinated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub. The Hub will initially focus on Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH), a critical public health priority in the country, and aims to expand into other vital development challenges.

The AI Hub will collaborate with Aga Khan University (AKU) to tackle MNCH challenges, utilising LUMS’s expertise in AI and digital public health, while AKU will contribute clinical insights and large health datasets. The initiative aims to develop AI-driven healthcare solutions tailored for underserved populations, enhancing early diagnosis and continuity of care.

Under the leadership of Dr Maryam Mustafa from LUMS, the Hub will convene government partners, clinicians, and AI researchers to improve health outcomes for women and newborns across Pakistan. Dr. Mustafa emphasized the project’s potential for immediate impact and the goal of creating a responsible AI platform to support various sectors over time.

Mubarik Imam, a member of the Advisory Board at LUMS, expressed commitment to leveraging AI to improve healthcare delivery and access for frontline workers. Pakistan faces high maternal and neonatal mortality rates due to barriers in healthcare access, shortages of skilled workers, and fragmented data systems. The AI Hub aims to address these issues by deploying ethical, evidence-based AI tools that provide critical support to women and families in need.