05 Nov 2024
VEON's Jazz Enters Partnership to Support Local-Language AI LLM Development in Pakistan Amsterdam, Dubai and Islamabad, 05 November 2024 - VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON, Euronext Amsterdam: VEON), a global digital operator, announced that Jazz, its digital operator in Pakistan, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and the National Information Technology Board (NITB). This collaboration aims to develop Pakistan's first indigenous Large Language Model (LLM) to serve under-resourced regional languages, supporting digital inclusivity in AI technologies. The LLM will focus on Urdu and include datasets for Pashto and Punjabi.
Digital resources in low-resource languages - languages beyond English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, Arabic, German, and Japanese - remain scarce, creating an AI language gap that impacts user experience, deepens bias, and widens the digital divide. VEON's partnerships in Pakistan and Kazakhstan, alongside the integration of local-language AI tools in its digital services across six countries, are aimed at bridging this gap and fostering AI inclusion.
In Pakistan, this collaboration marks a strategic milestone, as it will help to empower thousands of individuals, businesses, and organizations with advanced AI tools in their native languages. The envisioned LLM is expected to drive innovation in AI applications, boosting productivity and accessibility in critical sectors like healthcare, education, and agriculture.
Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz, said, Innovation in AI and LLMs is critical for Pakistan's future, and we are committed to developing a locally relevant environment that meets the unique needs of our communities. Through this partnership with NUST and NITB, we can help close the digital divide, empowering our teachers, doctors, and farmers by providing them with tools and information in their native languages. This collaboration is a national cause that will drive exponential progress in digital inclusion. In the coming months, we aim to have a functional model that will lay the foundation for transformative AI framework in Pakistan.
Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Pakistan's Minister of IT & Telecommunication observed, This partnership marks a pivotal moment for Pakistan's digital future, enabling us to preserve and promote our linguistic and cultural heritage through advanced AI. By bringing together the strengths of academia, industry, and government, we're not only building a platform that reflects Pakistan's unique perspective but also positioning ourselves to lead in emerging technologies. Initiatives like this are essential, not just for our technological aspirations but for safeguarding our sovereignty and advancing our global standing. At the government level, we will work to establish the necessary policies, resources, and frameworks to ensure this initiative's success over the years.
The MoU, which is effective for five years, sets the groundwork for continuous innovation and collaboration to develop this LLM. VEON's commitment to advancing AI for low-resource languages extends beyond Pakistan; earlier this year, QazCode, the software arm of VEON's Beeline Kazakhstan, collaborated with GSMA and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center to enhance AI applications for Kazakh and Catalan, underscoring VEON's dedication to linguistic inclusivity on a global scale.
About Jazz
Jazz is Pakistan's leading digital operator with over 71.4 million cellular subscribers and 63.3 million MAUs of digital services. Jazz offers the most extensive portfolio of digital services including JazzCash, Pakistan's leading fintech; Garaj, the largest onshore cloud and cybersecurity platform; and Tamasha, Pakistan's largest homegrown OTT video streaming and entertainment platform.
About VEON
VEON is a digital operator that provides converged connectivity and digital services to nearly 160 million customers. Operating across six countries that are home to more than 7% of the world's population, VEON is transforming lives through technology-driven services that empower individuals and drive economic growth. VEON is listed on Nasdaq and Euronext. For more information visit: www.veon.com
Disclaimer
This release contains forward-looking statements, as the phrase is defined in Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and include statements relating to, among other things, VEON's corporate social responsibility and investment plans. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which VEON cannot predict with accuracy and some of which VEON might not anticipate. The forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of the date of this release. VEON does not undertake to publicly update, except as required by U.S. federal securities laws, any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after such dates or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Contact Information
VEON
Hande Asik
Group Director of Communications
pr@veon.com
MHP Group
Julian Tanner
Julian.tanner@mhpgroup.com
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
09/10/2026
September 10 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026
New Sports Intelligence helps providers better unders...
08/10/2026
Modern venues have come a long way since the tinny, echoing audio of the mid 20t...
08/10/2026
ESPN's first Super Bowl production will stream in English and Spanish on Disney+, while the ESPN App carries the full slate of game, ManningCast, studio, an...
08/10/2026
From high-school videoboards to War Eagle Productions, the Opelika native is learning how to lead shows and capture big moments
The future of live sports produ...
08/10/2026
The Television Academy and Prime Video have announced a six-year agreement making Prime Video the exclusive global home of the Emmy Awards beginning with the 20...
08/10/2026
Techex will exhibit at NAB Show New York 2026 (Booth 623, Javits Center, October...
08/10/2026
X Games has announced the appointment of Steve Rogers as Chief Operating Officer. Rogers previously served as COO of World Supercross and spent nearly a decade ...
08/10/2026
Fonn Group has appointed Trevor Spielmann as Sales Director for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Spielmann joins from EVS, where he held sales and business de...
08/10/2026
The flagship program will originate from major PG events with a four-camera production, live distribution across PGTV, social platforms
Perfect Game is bringin...
08/10/2026
Innovation rarely happens in a vacuum. More often, it happens at the point of collision: when worlds that have run on separate tracks begin to converge. That is...
08/10/2026
For decades, the production and broadcast services business has run on a familia...
08/10/2026
Uplynk, Zixi, BroadView Software, and Grass Valley have published The IP Converg...
08/10/2026
The NFL has announced the return of the Big Data Bowl, the league's analytics competition, now in its ninth year and again powered by AWS. Registration is o...
08/10/2026
Eutelsat has renewed its partnership with T l diffusion d'Alg rie (TDA), Algeria's national broadcasting network operator, for continued distribution of...
08/10/2026
Disney will livestream Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, alongside the game's broadcast on ESPN and ABC. All Disney subscribers in the United States wi...
08/10/2026
RHStv and Red House Streaming have announced an expansion of their partnership w...
08/10/2026
Gray Media has announced a distribution agreement with TEGNA and DAZN to simulca...
08/10/2026
SVG readers can save 10% on registration and receive a complimentary Solutions H...
08/10/2026
PROTON Camera Innovations GmbH has been named a recipient of a 2026 Technology a...
08/10/2026
Industry leaders discuss real-world cloud workflows for live game production, pl...
08/10/2026
The next-gen audio technology joins Dolby Vision as part of Apple TV's immersive F1 experience...
08/10/2026
David France, Jesse Short Bull, Mato Wayuhi, N. Bird Runningwater, Jodi Archambau, Jhane Myers, Paul McGuire, Amber Morning Star Byars, Holly Macarro, Nick Tils...
08/10/2026
Dynamic panning plug-ins get an upgrade
Sound Particles have just announced major updates for two of their popular dynamic panning plug-ins. Energy Panner 2...
08/10/2026
New expandable instrument boasts full DMNO engine
UDO Audio have just announced the upcoming release of a new, expandable synth that packs the power of the ...
08/10/2026
Two new subwoofers added to monitoring line-up
ADAM Audio's monitoring range has just been expanded with two new DSP-equipped subwoofers, the Sub8 PRO a...
08/10/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
08/10/2026
Calrec gives broadcasters freedom of choice at NAB Show New York We're looking forward to meeting up with you all at NAB New York on 21st-22nd October.
Cal...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Globecast, a leading provider of broadcast, media and entertainment managed services, will showcase its next generation of media orchestration services at NAB S...
08/10/2026
Clear-Com played a critical role in the production communications infrastructure for Rock in Rio 2026, one of the world's largest and most recognized music...
08/10/2026
Sohonet Launches ClearView Rush: A Leap Forward in Studio Review, Built for Crea...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Ikegami announces a major expansion to its range of broadcast-quality live production cameras. Scheduled for introduction on Ikegami booth 708 at NAB New York, ...
08/10/2026
Calrec will be located at Booth 444.
Freedom to choose
The media landscape is evolving quickly, and the broadcasters best placed for what comes next will be...
08/10/2026
LiveU has announced that CRD Audiovisuel relied on LiveUs LU900Q intelligent production unit, with built-in native LiveU IQ (LIQ ) connectivity, to deliver live...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/10/2026
Marshall Electronics, a globally recognized provider of high-performance video solutions for broadcast, streaming, AV and professional production, will exhibit ...
08/10/2026
14-hour package also includes A Remarkable Place to Die season 2 as well as libr...
05 Nov 2024
