Google celebrated two years of Digital Sahafat at an event held at the Pearl Continental Hotel in Lahore. Digital Sahafat trained Pakistani journalists and journalism students to use Google AI tools to verify information, work more efficiently and build sustainable newsroom practices. The event marked the program’s progress since 2024 and its expansion into Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The event was attended by Ali Dar, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Punjab on AI, International Cooperations and Special Initiatives, and media industry leaders such as Sultana Siddiqui, Founder & Chairperson, Hum Network. They were joined by representatives from the Google team including Kate Beddoe, Managing Director, News Partnerships, APAC. Policymakers, senior journalists, media executives and program participants were also present at the event.
“No government can do this alone. It takes Google, Tech Valley, our universities, and our media houses working together. That to me is what future-forward Pakistan means,” said Ali Dar, Advisor to The Chief Minister of Punjab on AI, International Cooperation and Special Initiatives.
Empowering Pakistan’s newsrooms in the AI era
As we enter the AI era, Pakistani journalists have a unique opportunity to elevate their storytelling and strengthen the verification of online content. To support journalists with hands-on access to the latest AI tools and training, Google launched Digital Sahafat in September 2024.
Through a cascade training model, Tech Valley—an ed-tech social enterprise—Digital Sahafat empowers Master Trainers to instruct journalists, media practitioners, and students nationwide. The initiative has been delivered in collaboration with prominent media partners, government bodies (including the Higher Education Department of Punjab, the Science and IT Department of Sindh, and the Information Departments of Balochistan and Sindh), and leading universities such as Beaconhouse National University, International Islamic University Islamabad, Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Bahria University, and the University of Karachi.
Impact since 2024: More than 4,000 journalists trained across four provinces
Since 2024, Digital Sahafat has trained over 4,000 journalists, journalism students, and media practitioners, and more than 60 Master Trainers across Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Findings from the program’s 2025 participant surveys showed that:
● 85% of participants now use Google AI tools in their daily work.
● Nearly 68% of participants saved more than 25% of their time on daily tasks.
● Participants reported a 260% uplift in confidence using AI.
“I am proud to celebrate the impact of Digital Sahafat. Seeing first hand how journalists across Pakistan have not only adopted AI, but embraced it is inspiring our work with the news industry across the Asia Pacific region,” said Kate Beddoe, Managing Director, News Partnerships, APAC, Google.
Part of Google’s wider support for journalism
Google has partnered with the news industry for more than 20 years, and continues to do so as we explore new shared opportunities for publishers and consumers. We show up for the global news ecosystem in many ways, including through training programs covering the latest in Google technology. Across 120 countries, we have trained 2.5 million journalists and industry professionals. Digital Sahafat is part of this effort to work with journalists and provide resources and training to navigate the ever-changing digital landscape more effectively. Through the program, Google aims to strengthen digital innovation, media literacy and the role of journalism in society.
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