S&P Global and the S&P Global Foundation have announced the next phase of their $10 million “StepForward” initiative aimed at preparing young people for an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven economy, with Pakistan among the key focus countries through collaboration with local platform Urdu AI.
The three-year initiative, launched in December 2025, seeks to expand access to AI literacy, workforce readiness and digital skills development through partnerships with organisations delivering innovative education and employment programmes globally.
Under the initiative, Urdu AI in Pakistan will provide AI literacy training and conduct workshops through mobile-friendly Urdu-language courses designed to reach underserved youth and communities across the country.
Managing Director of S&P Global Pakistan, Mujeeb Zahur, said the initiative aimed to make AI education more accessible for young people in Pakistan. “Urdu AI will help provide accessible AI literacy training and facilitate workshops through mobile-friendly courses in Urdu to reach youth across Pakistan and build practical AI, problem-solving and digital skills,” he said, adding that the programme would also serve the wider global Urdu-speaking community.
Founder of Urdu AI, Qaisar Roonjha, said the collaboration would help bridge the language and accessibility gap in AI education. “Pakistan’s next generation deserves to participate in the AI economy in their own language and on their own terms. This partnership will help us reach underserved communities and ensure that no young person is left behind simply because AI education was not available in Urdu,” he said.
As part of the broader programme, MIT Solve, Generation and MIT RAISE will also receive grants to run AI-focused youth development and employment initiatives in key markets.
The UN Youth Office will participate as a global collaborator to promote awareness regarding future-ready skills required in rapidly evolving labour markets.
According to the company, S&P Global has continued to invest in AI adoption and workforce upskilling through initiatives such as EssentialTECH education programmes, “AI for Everyone” employee training, and internal AI-enabled tools.
