(Web Desk) — Google has unveiled its new AI Academy, an initiative aimed at accelerating the growth of artificial intelligence startups in Pakistan and across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The announcement was made through a press release on Monday.

The AI Academy is designed to spark cross-border innovations and foster partnerships, facilitating the exchange of ideas, expertise, and resources to expedite the development of AI solutions. According to Google’s PR agency, this initiative will position the APAC region as a global hub for AI development.

“Google for Startups has introduced the AI Academy to support and accelerate the growth of artificial intelligence startups in Pakistan and the APAC region,” the press release noted. The program will initially support over 20 startups specializing in AI technologies.

Participants will receive personalized guidance from Google’s global AI experts and be eligible for up to $350,000 in Google Cloud Credits to advance their AI projects. The program also offers opportunities for networking and collaboration with other AI startups throughout the region.

The AI Academy is designed to fast-track startups, helping them develop proof of concept and product roadmaps to quickly validate their AI solutions. This streamlined process aims to accelerate their path to success and showcase the value of their innovations in the AI sector.

Farhan S. Qureshi, Google Pakistan’s Country Director, highlighted the program’s significance for the local market. “Pakistan is a key market for us, and we hope local startups will leverage this opportunity to enhance their AI solutions and contribute to strengthening the AI ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific region,” he stated.

Applications for the AI Academy are open until August 16, offering Pakistani startups a valuable chance to be part of a regional push towards advanced AI development.