The National Incubation Center for Aerospace Technologies (NICAT), in collaboration with Meta, the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication, and Ignite National Technology Fund, has successfully hosted the first-ever Meta Llama Pitchathon in the Asia-Pacific region. This groundbreaking event served as a platform to showcase the immense potential of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly through the innovative application of Meta’s cutting-edge Llama 2 and Llama 3 models.

The Pitchathon, which opened its doors on July 19, 2024, received an overwhelming response with 112 submissions. From these, seven outstanding teams were carefully selected by e27 and Meta officials for the final pitch, held on August 13, 2024. These finalists presented their pioneering AI-driven solutions to an esteemed panel of judges. The panel, which included prominent figures such as Muhammad Rashid Mukhtar, Dr. Muhammad Usman, Zeeshan Qedwaee, Ammar Jaffri, Barira Hanif, and Dr. Adnan-ul-Hasan, brought a wealth of expertise from various fields, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of each project.

During the event, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State for IT & Telecommunication, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, underscoring the government’s unwavering commitment to fostering technological innovation and development in Pakistan. In her address, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja emphasized that the Meta Llama Pitchathon is a testament to Pakistan’s growing capabilities in AI and technological innovation. She reiterated the government’s dedication to creating an environment that nurtures talent and encourages the development of cutting-edge solutions that address both local and global challenges. Her participation highlighted the crucial role of events like these in positioning Pakistan as a leader in the global digital economy.

Among the notable participants were Traversaal.ai, a team from San Francisco, USA, which proposed UrduLLama, a large language model (LLM) tailored for the Urdu language, aimed at addressing educational inequality and illiteracy in Pakistan. Another remarkable participant was Answer AI, with team members from both Pakistan and the USA, who introduced OpportunityGateway, a platform providing affordable, personalized tools for IELTS test preparation. Additionally, vResolv Pvt Ltd, based in Islamabad, presented Qazi AI, a Legal AI Assistant designed to streamline judicial processes and reduce the overwhelming backlog of cases in Pakistan's judicial system.

Imran Jattala, Project Director at NICAT, played a pivotal role in the success of the event. An eminent figure in the global innovation landscape, Imran is recognized for his pioneering work in establishing NICAT, South Asia and the Middle East's first Aerospace and DeepTech Incubation Center. Under his leadership, NICAT has become a beacon of technological advancement and entrepreneurship, supporting over 76 startups and generating significant revenue of PKR 1.2 billion, with investments surpassing PKR 1.1 billion. Imran’s strategic foresight is further exemplified by his ongoing efforts to create a comprehensive Investment Value Chain for the National Aerospace and Science Technologies Park (NASTP), including establishing an Angel Investor Network, an Impact Investment Fund, and a Venture Capital Fund.

Imran Jattala is not only a visionary leader but also a passionate advocate for innovation, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of innovators. His leadership has impacted over 25,000 entrepreneurs and university students, guiding more than 700 startup teams to success and facilitating over $10 million in investments in Pakistan. With an ambitious goal of positioning Pakistan among the top 50 innovative nations by 2030, Imran continues to inspire and mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, making a lasting impact on the global innovation ecosystem.

Adeel Aijaz Shaikh, the Chief Executive Officer at Ignite National Technology Fund, also made significant contributions to the event. As CEO, Adeel has been instrumental in driving Ignite’s mission to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship in Pakistan. With a visionary approach to integrating technology and entrepreneurship, Adeel has overseen numerous successful initiatives that have empowered startups across the country. His leadership at Ignite has not only bolstered the tech ecosystem but has also played a crucial role in positioning Pakistan as a hub for innovation in the region. Adeel's strategic insights and dedication to fostering a vibrant startup culture have been pivotal in the success of initiatives like the Meta Llama Pitchathon, which further reinforces Ignite’s commitment to nurturing talent and innovation.

 Simon Milner, Vice President, Public Policy at Meta said,

“Meta is committed to supporting the AI ecosystem in this region, and I’m thrilled to see such diverse and impactful ideas emerging from Pakistan's developer community. The Meta Llama Pitchathon in Pakistan sets a new precedent for innovation, and we believe it will pave the way for the next wave of technological breakthroughs in the country and the broader region. We thank NICAT, the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication, and Ignite National Technology Fund for the collaboration, and look forward to continuing our work with local partners to build better, safer, and faster products that benefit society by addressing real-world issues.”

This event marked a significant milestone for Pakistan in the AI sector, highlighting the country's potential to lead in technological advancements and innovation on a global scale.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)