Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Silicon Valley NEDians Sponsoring Free Software Bootcamp in Pakistan

Pakistan has seen several boot camps started in recent years to respond to growing demand for practical tech training in the country. Two of my fellow NED University alumni in Silicon Valley - Saeed Kazmi and Idris Kothari - are "helping an initiative in Pakistan with a company xLoop Digital (www.xloopdigital.com), to provide advanced software Bootcamp training to fresh grads in computer science and engineering".  Idris and Saeed are senior NEDians who graduated from our alma mater in early 1970s.  I have personally known them since the early1980s when I first arrived in the San Francisco Bay Area. Both have solid track records as successful tech entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley.  Here are excerpts of their email sent to me on the subject: 

"The training center is located in Karachi . The first batch started in November 22.  Currently, we have about 50 developers under training in two tracks -1. Cloud Native Software Development, 2. Data Sciences/Engineering. The Bootcamp training is provided by www.emeritus.org , a U.S. based company. This is a 16-week program that includes 12 weeks of technical training provided by live on-line, U.S. based instructors, and 4 weeks of soft-skills training. ..... Most of these bootcamps are free of cost however few charge a nominal fee of PKR 10,000 + for every month. In U.S. such Bootcamp costs around $15,000, however we are offering it for free. The only requirement is passing our entry test. We also provide pickup – drop transportation to students...... .The first batch graduated recently, and we are looking to outsource the talent in the U.S. These developers are ready to be interviewed by interested clients". 

Skills Taught at Typical Coding Bootcamp. Source: DICE

Those accepted for the Xloopdigital bootcamp are given a stipend of Rs. 10,000 a month and offered other benefits such as free transport and outpatient medical reimbursements during training.  Upon successful completion of the bootcamp, Xloop offers a 2-year guaranteed employment to all trainees with highly competitive salary and benefits. 

What is coding boot camp?  It is a technical training program designed to teach the programming skills that employers are currently looking for. Technology is constantly changing. It is important for those looking for work in the tech industry to continue to learn and update their skills. Coding boot camps offer short, intensive training courses to help employees and job candidates to meet the needs of employers. They fill the gaps in skillsets of new college graduates to enhance their employability. 

Not all boot camps are alike. It is important to do due diligence before signing up for a boot camp. Some of the questions that come to mind when choosing a boot camp are: 1. How long is the program and how much does it cost? 2. What is its job placement record? 3. Is there a verifiable estimate of the average earnings of its graduates? 4. What is unique about the boot camp you are considering signing up for? How does it compare with other tech bootcamps? 

Let me conclude by quoting Nate Swanner's sound advice on selecting bootcamps: "Remember, there’s no timeline for starting your journey, and nothing saying you must attend a bootcamp to learn tech. What matters is your drive and enthusiasm: two things you just can’t learn in a bootcamp". 

Related Links:



NED Alum Raises $190 Million to Challenge ARM's Dominance

Pakistan Broadband Subscriptions Pass 100 Million

NED University Ranked Among World's Top 200 For Impact

Pakistan's Computer Services Exports Jump 26% Amid Coronavirus Lockdown

Pakistan Gig Economy Among World's Fastest Growing

NED Alum Sells Silicon Valley Company For $7.5 Billion

Pakistan's Demographic Dividend

Over a Million Pakistani University Students Enrolled in STEM Education

State Bank Targets Fully Digital Economy in Pakistan

NED University Alum Raises $100 Million For His Silicon Valley Fintech Startup

Digital Pakistan: Broadband Penetration Reaches 90% of 15+ Population

E-Commerce in Pakistan

2021: A Banner Year For Pakistani Tech Startups

NED Alum's AI Startup Startup Named Most Innovative at RSA Conference

Karachi-Born NED Alum Leads Mercedes' Entry into Electric Vehicle Market

AI Research Funded by NED Alum at His Alma Mater

Riaz Haq's Youtube Channel



32 comments:

Ahmed said...


Salam Sir

Thanks for sharing this , mashallah what a great initiative taken by these senior graduates of NED University .

Ahmed said...

Dear Sir Riaz

How many IT professionals in Pakistan even know what really is cloud computing ? Actually cloud computing is based on virtualization . Virtualization is the foundation ( base ) of cloud computing .

Also Cloud computing depends on clustering and grid computing .



Ahmed said...

Sir

When we talk about cloud native software development , we are actually talking about cloud based native softwares or applications which software engineers and software developers actually and specifically design and develope for cloud based servers .

Normally if we use traditional or conventional softwares which are developed or created for normal computers and servers , they don’t work perfectly on cloud based servers and neither they perform at their optimal in cloud environment.

So it is important for software engineer and software developers to use such tools or techniques which could help them design and develope softwares specifically for cloud computing .

Riaz Haq said...

Pakistan earned US$ 1,523.280 million by providing different Information Technology (IT) services to various countries during the first seven months of the current fiscal year 2022-23.

https://www.nation.com.pk/21-Mar-2023/pakistan-earns-dollar-1-523-million-from-it-services-export

This shows a growth of 2.38 percent as compared to US$ 1,487.865 million earned through the provision of services during the corresponding months of the fiscal year 2021-22, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported.

During July-January (2022-23), the export of computer services grew by 2.87 percent as it surged from US$ 1,191.575 million last fiscal year to US$ 1,225.730 million this year.

Among the computer services, the exports of software consultancy services witnessed an increase of 5.57 percent, from US$ 430.309 million to US$ 454.283 million while the exports of hardware consultancy services also rose by 158.07 percent from US$ 1.357 million to US$ 3.502 million.

The export and import of computer software-related services surged by 11.89 percent, from US$ 312.484 million to US$ 349.635 million whereas the exports of repair and maintenance services increased to US$ 1.594 million from US$ 0.770 million.

Riaz Haq said...

The Algorithm PK has partnered with The Tech Academy, USA, to bring their affordable and high-quality coding bootcamps to Pakistan, providing a unique opportunity for individuals to learn the skills they need to succeed in the tech industry, stated a press release.

https://www.brecorder.com/news/40232645/the-algorithm-pk-the-tech-academy-us-team-up-to-offer-pathway-to-high-paying-tech-jobs-in-pakistan

The global job market is rapidly evolving, and the tech industry is at the forefront of this transformation. With an increasing demand for tech talent, the need for skilled developers has never been more pressing.

The Algorithm PK is an innovative Educational Technology organization that trains Pakistan’s youth and workforce in world-class technology education and essential soft skills, helping them become competent, well-rounded individuals who can achieve their career goals and become an invaluable asset to any team.

The Tech Academy, USA has a proven track record of success, having trained thousands of developers across the globe. Job placement rates over 80% and graduates of their programs have landed jobs at top companies around the world such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Deloitte, Nintendo, Disney and many more with average starting salaries between USD $50,000 to $60,000 per annum.

These bootcamps are designed for the beginner and provide students with a comprehensive technology education that covers everything from coding languages and frameworks to project management and job placement training to help graduates find employment after completing their program.

The Algorithm PK takes it a step further by delivering an Essential Soft Skills Line-up that covers communication, workplace ethics and values, and study skills line-up along with the coding bootcamp to ensure Pakistani youth and workforce are ready to compete in the global tech market.

By providing affordable and high-quality coding bootcamps, individuals who previously may not have had the opportunity to learn these skills can now do so. With a curriculum that covers the most in-demand coding languages and skills, individuals can develop the skills they need to secure high-paying jobs in the tech industry.

The Algorithm PK CEO, Dr Humaira, brings a unique perspective to the tech industry with her background as a medical doctor and expertise in education, teacher training, and faculty training.

Asfandiyar Khan, the Director of Operations and Strategic Partnerships, brings seven years of experience in the game and tech industry.

Rashid A. said...

Riaz Sahib

Any Bootcamps is Lahore?

Riaz Haq said...

Rashid: "Any Bootcamps is Lahore?"

I believe P@SHA (Pakistan Software Houses Association) runs free coding bootcamps in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.

https://www.pasha.org.pk/it-industry-readiness-bootcamps/

Ahmed said...

Dear Sir

Thanks for sharing this great and useful post , Sir what I believe and think is that inorder to produce efficient and good programmers and software engineers and software developers what is more important and essential is that all the students in Pakistan must be taught the basics of programming . Many students in Pakistan think that programming is just about writing codes . Sir according to my understanding and limited knowledge programming is not just coding , it is more than that .

Programming and coding are terms that are used interchangeably but both are not exactly same .

programming also involves critical thinking skills and analysis which I am sorry to say mostly IT graduates and IT students in Pakistan lack .

Thanks

Riaz Haq said...

Ahmed: "Sir according to my understanding and limited knowledge programming is not just coding , it is more than that"

Like any other industry, software industry needs developers with multiple levels of skills and experience.

Software architects have the big picture. They work with product managers to define and design software products and put together product requirements documents.

The individual modules making up the product are defined and given to coding teams that write the code for various modules.

Then comes the QA department which runs a battery of tests to find bugs.

Bug reports are then given back to the developers to debug and fix software to meet customer/market requirements.

Ahmed said...

Dear Sir

A new research is going on in the field of robotic engineering and robotic technology . The computer scientists specially computer engineers are thinking of making robots more smart than before by using a technology called “ TOF( Time of Flight)”?

Are students of computer engineering or electrical or electronic engineering in the universities of Pakistan aware about this ?
Thanks

Ahmed said...

Dear Sir

You said :
—————————————-
Like any other industry, software industry needs developers with multiple levels of skills and experience.
————————————-

Comment :
Agree with you Sir on this but are software houses and software companies in Pakistan really hiring software developers and engineers who have these multiple skill sets ?

You said :
——————————-
Software architects have the big picture. They work with product managers to define and design software products and put together product requirements documents.
——————————-
Comment :
Exactly Sir but Sir don’t you think their are very few software architects in the world specially in Pakistan ? Software Architects are at next level of software engineering and software development as far as I know and they focus and concentrate more on the structure and design of a software and they concentrate more on those softwares that have to be designed and developed for a company or Organization which needs to resolve its complex problems and full full it’s needs .

Thanks

Ahmed said...

I am not much interested in politics and neither I am aware of what exactly happened in 1960s and 70s but according to senior citizens of Pakistan who were young or small in 1960s and 70s era have seen the good old and golden days of Pakistan when Pakistan was moving ahead of neighbouring countries in industrialisation , economy , aviation, tourism , and I think also in education sector .

According to even the former PM of Pakistan Imran Khan , in 1960s when Ayub Khan was the President of the country and at that time Pakistan was making lot of progress and even India was surprised at that time to see the progress of Pakistan . According to him Pakistan was moving fast towards industrialisation and economy of the country was growing but I think education was the only sector of Pakistan in which Pakistan was slightly behind India or just competing with India.

Even in tourism I think Pakistan was ahead of India or competing with India .

The question is that how has this decline of Pakistan actually started ? Is it true that these corrupt and incompetent politicians of Pakistan who are feudals and landlords have played a profound role in damaging the economy and other sectors of the country ?

Riaz Haq said...

Ahmed: "The question is that how has this decline of Pakistan actually started ? Is it true that these corrupt and incompetent politicians of Pakistan who are feudals and landlords have played a profound role in damaging the economy and other sectors of the country?"

I wrote the following in 2018:

"Pakistan had the so-called 22 families which began the process of industrialization in 1960s but they were devastated by the 1971 war. What was left of their business and industry was nationalized by the PPP government led by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1970s. Many of these families have since recovered and rebuilt and several new ones have now emerged. Their continued growth and Pakistan's economic progress depend largely on the continuity of business-friendly government policies in future"


Please read more: https://www.riazhaq.com/2018/05/history-of-pakistans-business-and.html

Ahmed said...


Dear Sir

Programming skills and knowledge is very important for students of IT specially for those who actually develope softwares or web products .

Without having strong and good knowledge of different programming language , students can’t become good cyber security specialists and professionals .

Without strong and good knowledge of programming, students can’t design and develope any application like Facebook or YouTube .

Without programming language , you can’t design and develope GPS system or any animated and interactive maps like Google maps .


Ahmed said...

I hope you have checked my last post in which I have shared article about the international level contest of programming and coding which was arranged or organised by Google . Students from different universities of the world participated in that contest including students from universities and institutions of India and Pakistan......

Riaz Haq said...

Ahmed: "I hope you have checked my last post in which I have shared article about the international level contest of programming and coding which was arranged or organised by Google . Students from different universities of the world participated in that contest including students from universities and institutions of India and Pakistan"

Yes, I did. I decided not to publish it because its fake news. I do not spread fake news and you shouldn't either. Please become an active user of media, particularly social media....check the sources before accepting anything.

Riaz Haq said...

There's a fake news report claiming Pakistanis performed very poorly (rank 1,336) in a Google Coding Competition compared with Indians (6th) and Bangladeshis (29th).

This is not supported by anything from Google.

The only report that comes even remotely close is "2022 Solution Challenge winners"

https://developers.google.com/community/gdsc-solution-challenge/winners

It shows that there is one Indian team (GetWage) in top 10.

It also shows two Pakistani teams (dyslexic and Saathi) and 13 Indian teams (Cosapa, Anxily, Pulse, Scrizzel, GetWage, Proctify, DeCarbonUs, Smart Agriot, Feed The Need, ConnectNHelp, vAldya, WildEye) in top 50.

There are no Bangladeshi teams listed among top 3, top 10 or top 50 winners.

Riaz Haq said...

There's a fake news report going around claiming that Pakistanis performed very poorly (rank 1,336) in a Google Coding Competition compared with Indians (6th) and Bangladeshis (29th).

This is not supported by anything from Google.

The only report that comes even remotely close is "2022 Solution Challenge winners"

https://developers.google.com/community/gdsc-solution-challenge/winners

It shows that there is one Indian team (GetWage) in top 10.

It also shows two Pakistani teams (dyslexic and Saathi) and 13 Indian teams (Cosapa, Anxily, Pulse, Scrizzel, GetWage, Proctify, DeCarbonUs, Smart Agriot, Feed The Need, ConnectNHelp, vAldya, WildEye) in top 50.

There are no Bangladeshi teams listed among top 3, top 10 or top 50 winners.

Riaz Haq said...

There's a fake news report going around claiming that Pakistanis performed very poorly (rank 1,336) in a Google Coding Competition compared with Indians (6th) and Bangladeshis (29th).

This is not supported by anything from Google.

https://cphof.org/contest/gcj


In Google Code Jam 2022, there were no winners from South Asia among top 25.

In Google Code Jam 2021, there were no winners from South Asia among top 25.

In Google Code Jam 2020, there were no winners from South Asia among top 25.

In Google Code Jam 2019, there were no winners from South Asia among top 25.

In Google Code Jam 2019, there were no winners from South Asia among top 25.

In Google Code Jam 2019, there were no winners from South Asia among top 25.

In Google Code Jam 2018, there were no winners from South Asia among top 25.

Riaz Haq said...

Here's more from CodeForces.com

https://codeforces.com/ratings/countries


Country Ratings:

Rank Country Member Count Rating

1 China China 4556 (21275) 3463 (3510)
2 United States United States 569 (2716) 3274 (3317)
3 Japan Japan 415 (2478) 3215 (3269)

20 Indonesia Indonesia 226 (1233) 2522 (2608)
21 Romania Romania 237 (1361) 2521 (2622)
22 India India 15342 (54396) 2512 (2647)
22 Serbia Serbia 82 (394) 2512 (2657)

30 Brazil Brazil 339 (1823) 2385 (2527)
31 Argentina Argentina 81 (322) 2366 (2507)
32 Georgia Georgia 137 (625) 2337 (2402)
33 North Korea North Korea 18 (117) 2335 (2624)
34 Bangladesh Bangladesh 4807 (12386) 2328 (2387)

78 Slovenia Slovenia 10 (65) 1761 (2194)
79 Vatican Vatican 9 (28) 1749 (2126)
80 Pakistan Pakistan 116 (236) 1737 (1838)
81 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia 73 (211) 1729 (2020)
82 Iceland Iceland 13 (43) 1709 (2103)
83 Turkmenistan Turkmenistan 38 (166) 1700 (2126)
84 Belgium Belgium 15 (101) 1644 (2227)

Ahmed said...

Dear Sir

Thank you for sharing the link of code force.com . I have checked the data which shows ranking of different countries based on their performance in programming and coding . Sir I am not able to understand these ratings .

Under the sub heading of member counts and ratings it shows the ranking of different countries . Isreal is ranked lower than India . India is ranked at number 22 and Isreal is ranked at number 24.

Pakistan is ranked at number 80, even here Pakistan is ranked much lower than India .

Riaz Haq said...

Ahmed: "Pakistan is ranked at number 80, even here Pakistan is ranked much lower than India"

Look at the last but one number in each row showing representation from each country.

Pakistan ranks 80 because the number of participants from Pakistan was 1737, lower than 2328 from Bangladesh and 2512 from India.

Riaz Haq said...

Ericsson launches Pakistan Graduate Program

https://www.lightreading.com/digital-divide/ericsson-launches-pakistan-graduate-program/d/d-id/781042

STOCKHOLM – Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has announced the launch of its graduate program in Pakistan to offer young talents world-class learning and career development opportunities. The Ericsson Pakistan Graduate Program is focused on nurturing Pakistan's technology leaders of tomorrow.

With experts from Ericsson training and supporting young Pakistani talent, the Ericsson Pakistan Graduate Program provides on-the-job, project-based, classroom training, and online learning in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and advanced technologies within the advanced connectivity era and as a contribution to the Digital Pakistan Policy.

The graduates are gaining valuable work experience, skills and knowledge that enable graduates to gain professional project-based knowledge, in a fast-changing ICT sector.

The young, curious, and innovative graduates are working alongside world-class industry expertise at Ericsson and are supporting the development of projects that are changing the world of communication in Pakistan and the region.

Read the full press release here.

Ericsson

-----------

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has announced the launch of its graduate program in Pakistan to offer young talents world-class learning and career development opportunities. The Ericsson Pakistan Graduate Program is focused on nurturing Pakistan’s technology leaders of tomorrow.

With experts from Ericsson training and supporting young Pakistani talent, the Ericsson Pakistan Graduate Program provides on-the-job, project-based, classroom training, and online learning in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and advanced technologies within the advanced connectivity era and as a contribution to the Digital Pakistan Policy.

The graduates are gaining valuable work experience, skills and knowledge that enable graduates to gain professional project-based knowledge, in a fast-changing ICT sector.

Aamir Ahsan Khan, President and Country Manager of Ericsson Pakistan says: “Ericsson has been in Pakistan for 60 years and giving back to society is one of our strong pillars. The Ericsson Pakistan Graduate Program enhances the skills and knowledge of the young and bright graduates while empowering them as technology experts. The youth are the catalysts to the realization of the Digital Pakistan Policy and will lead Pakistan’s digital future in different areas like FinTech, Internet of Things, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, and more. The graduates have great potential, and we are looking forward to their success.”

The young, curious, and innovative graduates are working alongside world-class industry expertise at Ericsson and are supporting the development of projects that are changing the world of communication in Pakistan and the region.

Graduates interested in the program can visit https://www.ericsson.com/en/careers/student-young-professionals to know more about future opportunities that Ericsson offers young professionals.

Riaz Haq said...

Zong and Huawei have joined hands with Akhuwat – an interest-free microfinance organization with poverty alleviating interventions in microfinance, education, and more – to help promote digital education in Pakistan and introduce the less privileged students to the modern ways of learning.

https://propakistani.pk/2022/05/10/zong-partners-with-huawei-akhuwat-foundation-to-promote-digital-education-in-pakistan/

Under the partnership, Zong in collaboration with Huawei will be donating 200 tablets to Akhuwat. Akhuwat provides education services to make digital education for the less privileged students accessible across Pakistan, including the far-flung areas of Sindh.

Through high-tech studio facilities, interactive content, highly qualified teachers, a team of academic and IT professionals, and the tablets donated, Akhuwat will be leading the mission of digitally imparting quality learning.

“As an organization that places a huge emphasis on the well-being of the underprivileged strata of the society, Zong 4G has always stepped forward to integrate them in the modern and digital society of today,” Zong 4G’s spokesperson said.

“With digitization being on top of our agenda, we’re pleased to have partnered with Akhuwat Foundation and are glad to have a chance to help Pakistan’s underprivileged youth get introduced to advanced ways of learning,” she added.

Deputy CEO Huawei Pakistan, Wuhan reiterated the sentiment, stating, “At the heart of the Huawei ethos is our belief in openness and knowledge-sharing. We are committed to supporting the development of an ICT talent ecosystem in Pakistan and very happy to aid Akhuwat Foundation, in collaboration with Zong 4G, in this endeavor.”

Huawei’s aim is to openly collaborate with the public and private sectors to create an ICT ecosystem that drives forward digital transformation. Zong believes that Akhuwat Foundation has all the means to establish and deliver a nationwide e-learning platform that will be free to access.

NJV Government School in Karachi is going to be the transmission center of this e-learning project. Classes will be conducted by highly qualified teachers and will be streamed live to students all over the country. Students who can’t afford such advanced learning will benefit greatly from this initiative.

The partnership initially targets 200 students belonging to the remote areas of Sindh, hosting online classes for grades VI to XII. Training on the usage of these devices and connecting with Akhuwat’s LMS (Learning Management System) will be provided to students/parents by Akhuwat.

Zong is leading the country’s ICT-powered digital transformation and is geared to digitize the educational landscape of Pakistan, especially in the wake of Covid-19 which brought the wide digital divide to light in Pakistan.

Zong’s support for Akhuwat Foundation in its mission of ending social inequality is just one instance of Zong’s commitment to Pakistan. Akhuwat believes that a hybrid style of quality education is the need of today in nurturing the students coming from less privileged backgrounds.

Exposing them to the technological tools of today’s learning environment gives these students a fighting chance to stand at par with everyone else and nurture them to be future leaders in their respective fields. The Huawei tablets will greatly facilitate NJV School’s objective to impart hybrid style Free of Cost Quality education to the students coming from rural areas of Sindh.

These tablets will greatly improve the students’ technological skills and enable them to access apps that promote learning along with research and the accessing of LMS, and, above all, prepare them for more technological advancements years down the road.

Riaz Haq said...

What is chat GPT used for?

As a large language model, ChatGPT is all about text. And that text includes—lucky for you! —code. It has the ability to write code snippets in popular programming languages such as JavaScript, Python, C#, PHP and Java. Or generate sample CSV input for a data science problem. Or create bash scripts or infrastructure-as-code templates in JSON or YAML. And a lot more.


https://www.pluralsight.com/blog/software-development/how-use-chatgpt-programming-coding#:~:text=As%20a%20large%20language%20model,%2C%20C%23%2C%20PHP%20and%20Java.



Riaz Haq said...

What is prompt engineering and why every ChatGPT user should know about it

https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/what-is-prompt-engineering-and-why-every-chatgpt-user-should-know-about-it-379235-2023-04-30

ChatGPT is a powerful generative AI model that can produce natural language texts on almost any topic, given a few words or sentences as input



What is a prompt?

A prompt is a text or code that you provide to ChatGPT as input, along with some optional parameters, such as temperature, top-p, frequency penalty, etc. A prompt can be as simple as a question or a sentence starter, or as complex as a template or a pattern. The quality of your prompt determines the quality of ChatGPT’s output.


What is prompt engineering?

Prompt engineering is the skill of designing and creating effective prompts that guide ChatGPT to produce the best possible output for your task. Prompt engineering involves understanding how ChatGPT works, what data it was trained on, what limitations it has, and how to leverage its strengths. Prompt engineering also requires creativity, experimentation, and evaluation.

Why is prompt engineering important?

Why should you care about prompt engineering? Because it can make a huge difference in your experience with ChatGPT and other AI models. With prompt engineering, you can:

Achieve better results: Prompt engineering can help you get more accurate, relevant, coherent, and diverse outputs from ChatGPT. For example, if you want ChatGPT to write an article about the benefits of adopting rescue pets, you can provide a detailed prompt that specifies the word limit, the tone, the focus points, and the structure of the article.

Save time and money: Prompt engineering can help you reduce the number of trials and errors you need to do to get a satisfactory output from ChatGPT. This can save you time and money, especially if you are using a paid service or API. For example, if you want ChatGPT to generate a table of 10 suggestions to improve a text, you can use a sequence prompt that provides ChatGPT with options and examples.


Explore new possibilities: Prompt engineering can help you discover new ways to use ChatGPT for various tasks and domains. You can use prompt engineering to create your own applications, such as question-answering systems, conversational AI agents, sentiment analysis tools, and more. You can also use prompt engineering to learn from ChatGPT itself by asking it for tips and tricks.

How can you learn prompt engineering?

There are many resources available online that can help you master this skill. You can start by reading some guides and tutorials on prompt engineering for ChatGPT or taking some courses and certifications on this topic. You can also learn by trying out different prompts on ChatGPT playgrounds or APIs, comparing the outputs, and tweaking the parameters until you get what you want.

Riaz Haq said...

Is becoming a ‘prompt engineer’ the way to save your job from AI?
With the rise of generative AI tools, a new role is suddenly in demand


https://www.ft.com/content/0deda1e7-4fbf-46bc-8eee-c2049d783259


When the World Economic Forum predicted a few years ago that artificial intelligence would cause seven million job losses, the great and the good of Davos were able to wring their hands about the human cost of progress while feeling certain that they would be left unscathed. Automation might, they believed, take out office drones and administrative roles but not management gurus or software engineers.

That comfy confidence has been shaken in recent months by a new wave of “generative AI” tools. Apps that can create pictures, video or prose good enough to pass as authentically human. At the moment one in particular has captivated Silicon Valley. Hailed as the smartest chatbot ever made, ChatGPT can generate high-school essays, software code or marketing strategies within seconds, all from a few words of a “prompt”. Social media timelines have been filling up with people trying out the technology. “This used to be my job,” tweeted one former Meta manager, after ChatGPT had churned out a plausible take on Instagram’s product road map.

ChatGPT’s results are not always reliable or accurate. Nonetheless, all of a sudden, AI has the creative classes and middle-management squarely in its sights. But fear not, Davos-goers. The WEF predicted that AI would not only kill jobs but create them. And one such role that has emerged with the rise of generative AI is the “prompt engineer”. 

This job description sees writing the prompts necessary to get the best responses from AIs as a skill all of its own. Wrangling ChatGPT requires a deeper understanding of how AI works — hence “engineer” — as well as domain expertise, be that coding, marketing or homework. An online marketplace called Promptbase has already sprung up, where prompt engineers can sell their carefully crafted instructions for image-generation tools such as Midjourney. For a couple of bucks, you can buy pre-written templates for “cute robotic animal pictures” and “3D game renders”. 

AI entrepreneur Colin Treseler, co-founder of Supernormal, is one of those looking to hire. “You have to find ways to talk to the model to get the correct output,” he says. The problem is there aren’t many people doing this job yet: I found only a handful on LinkedIn.


On first mention, prompt engineering sounds like a comforting bedtime story for knowledge workers, in which preparing for the future involves little more than messing about with ChatGPT and posting the results on Twitter. Lots of the tech elite have spent the last couple of weeks doing little else anyway. But Basil Safwat, design lead at AI start-up Adept, thinks I am being a bit too cynical. “There is genuinely a need for people who are slightly ahead in their understanding of this new material,” he says, which he says is still in its “raw state” today.

Indeed, the very notion of a prompt engineer reveals the biggest shortcoming of these new AIs: they aren’t quite smart enough yet for just anyone to be able to use them successfully. And things are moving fast. Safwat believes that soon the interfaces we use to access and manipulate these AIs will improve, in the process making prompt engineers redundant. Likening it to the evolution of the computer operating system from a text-driven command line to windows and touchscreens, he says: “I don’t think this stage will last for long.” 

Perhaps what prompt engineers really represent is a whole new class of employment disruption: jobs both created and then destroyed by AI.


Ahmed said...

Dear Sir

Thanks for sharing about prompt engineering . It is actually a sub branch of Artificial Intelligence as far as I know .

It is a new type of field and job which has emerged from Artificial Intelligence . Prompt engineering is a job which is specific to chat GPT and as far as I know their the job of a prompt engineer is to make the text input of user more precise and easy for the chat GPT software to understand . As you know Sir that the processor at chat GPT actually is designed based on NLP( Natural Language Processing ).

Prompt is actually any instruction or set of input which is given to chat GPT .

Thanks

Riaz Haq said...

Pakistan aims to produce 1M AI-trained IT graduates by 2027

The policy framework showcases Pakistan’s willingness to integrate AI for public and national betterment. The country has set 15 targets with timelines ranging from 2023 to 2028.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/pakistan-aims-to-produce-1-million-ai-trained-it-graduates-by-2027


Just days after announcing that cryptocurrencies will “never be legalized” in the country, Pakistan’s Ministry of IT & Telecom drafted a policy to spur the growth of artificial intelligence.


With the national AI policy, Pakistan aims to evolve into a knowledge-based economy by upskilling human capital on AI and allied technologies, among other investments and initiatives.

The policy framework showcases Pakistan’s willingness to integrate AI for public and national betterment. The country has set 15 targets with timelines ranging from 2023 to 2028. To support these initiatives, Pakistan intends to establish a National AI Fund by using the Ministry of IT & Telecom’s “underutilized resources and funds.”

b533606e-360f-4833-b764-47aa2bc4901c.png

A snippet of Pakistan's national AI policy draft. Source: Ministry of IT & Telecom
Some of the intended use cases for AI in Pakistan include predicting the weather, agriculture supply chain optimization and health services transformation, to name a few.

The Pakistani government has taken an inclusive approach toward building AI policies as it remains open to feedback from the general public until June 16.

The primary reason for Pakistan’s ban on cryptocurrencies was due to the requirements set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). In return, the country remains excluded from FATF’s gray list.

As Cointelegraph previously reported, while FATF does not have the authority to impose sanctions on non-compliant countries, it can likely influence government and corporate policies worldwide.

By complying with FATF, Pakistan holds a higher possibility of getting a bailout from the International Monetary Fund.

Riaz Haq said...

Pakistan aims to produce 1M AI-trained IT graduates by 2027

The policy framework showcases Pakistan’s willingness to integrate AI for public and national betterment. The country has set 15 targets with timelines ranging from 2023 to 2028.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/pakistan-aims-to-produce-1-million-ai-trained-it-graduates-by-2027


Just days after announcing that cryptocurrencies will “never be legalized” in the country, Pakistan’s Ministry of IT & Telecom drafted a policy to spur the growth of artificial intelligence.


With the national AI policy, Pakistan aims to evolve into a knowledge-based economy by upskilling human capital on AI and allied technologies, among other investments and initiatives.

The policy framework showcases Pakistan’s willingness to integrate AI for public and national betterment. The country has set 15 targets with timelines ranging from 2023 to 2028. To support these initiatives, Pakistan intends to establish a National AI Fund by using the Ministry of IT & Telecom’s “underutilized resources and funds.”

b533606e-360f-4833-b764-47aa2bc4901c.png

A snippet of Pakistan's national AI policy draft. Source: Ministry of IT & Telecom
Some of the intended use cases for AI in Pakistan include predicting the weather, agriculture supply chain optimization and health services transformation, to name a few.

The Pakistani government has taken an inclusive approach toward building AI policies as it remains open to feedback from the general public until June 16.

The primary reason for Pakistan’s ban on cryptocurrencies was due to the requirements set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). In return, the country remains excluded from FATF’s gray list.

As Cointelegraph previously reported, while FATF does not have the authority to impose sanctions on non-compliant countries, it can likely influence government and corporate policies worldwide.

By complying with FATF, Pakistan holds a higher possibility of getting a bailout from the International Monetary Fund.

Riaz Haq said...

Google and Pakistan collaborate to drive IT education, 45,000 scholarships announced - Global Village Space

https://www.globalvillagespace.com/google-and-pakistan-collaborate-to-drive-it-education-45000-scholarships-announced/

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Syed Aminul Haq, announced a groundbreaking agreement with Google during the Startups for Industries and IT Exports conference held at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI). The agreement entails 45,000 scholarships to be provided by Google, with the aim of increasing the number to 450,000 in the following year. Notably, at least 40 percent of these scholarships will be reserved for women. This initiative marks a significant step forward in promoting IT education and fostering the growth of Pakistan’s digital industry.

Expanding Educational Opportunities
The collaboration between Pakistan and Google sets out to address the pressing need for skilled IT professionals in the country. The allocation of 45,000 scholarships signifies a remarkable increase from the previous year’s 15,000 scholarships. By targeting women, the government aims to bridge the gender gap in the tech industry, empowering more female individuals to pursue careers in IT. This initiative recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in driving innovation and technological advancements.

Empowering the IT Industry
Minister Aminul Haq emphasised the government’s commitment to the growth of the IT sector by announcing the construction of a dedicated building at NED University, with an investment of $1.6 million. The facility will serve as a hub for gaming and animation, nurturing local talent and further propelling the industry forward. These efforts align with the government’s vision of promoting startups, gaming, and animation within the country, leading to increased employment opportunities and economic growth.

Supporting Startups and Innovation
The conference brought together industry experts, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to discuss the importance of startups and innovation in the IT sector. Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan highlighted the crucial role that research and development play in driving industry growth. He also emphasised that startups today no longer require massive investments, thanks to the conducive environment and government support. With the increase in the number of incubation centres from five to eight in just three years, Pakistan is nurturing a vibrant ecosystem for startups to thrive.

Boosting IT Exports
Deputy Patron of KATI, Zubair Chhaya, lauded the efforts of Minister Aminul Haq, acknowledging the significant growth in Pakistan’s IT exports. From a modest $1 billion in exports, the sector has witnessed a remarkable surge to $2.6 billion at the end of the last financial year. This growth places Pakistan on a promising trajectory, showcasing its potential to compete with neighbouring countries. To further bolster the IT industry, Nighat Awan, the Senior Vice President of KATI, called for the abolishment of duties on machinery and IT-related products, fostering an environment conducive to expansion and innovation.

Riaz Haq said...

Alibaba Join Hands To Teach Cloud Computing To Pakistani Students

https://www.techjuice.pk/alibaba-join-hands-to-teach-cloud-computing-to-pakistani-students/


Alibaba, an e-commerce giant, joins hands with Pakistan to teach cloud computing skills to its students. The University of Engineering Technology (UET) Mardan, has signed an agreement with the Chinese multinational company, Alibaba.
Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, signed an agreement to teach Cloud Computing to Pakistani students.

According to the terms of the agreement, UET Mardan with be able to access learning materials from Alibaba cloud computing. The course may include cloud computing, big data, cloud security, robotics, and machine learning.

Moreover, as per the contract, students will get free access to cloud resources, certifications, and courses. The partnership will enable UET Mardan to prepare students for their future with the best possible skills.

Recently, the two parties signed an agreement titled “Alibaba Cloud Academic Empowerment Programme”. Which aims to equip students with skills in cloud computing, big data, machine learning, and robotics.

Besides, through this partnership, the course will enable students to experience real-life scenarios in placing cloud technology while providing them with technological resources and industry insights.

Alibaba’s First Logistic Services Entry In Pakistan
This is the first time Alibaba has shown its interest in Pakistan to teach skills to its students. As the competition is raising high day by day, Pakistani students need to learn the skills which will help them to flourish in the future.

In addition, a one-day workshop was held at the University of Mardan, where Dr. Jawad Ali Shah, an Alibaba Cloud Technical Trainer, introduced Alibaba Cloud services to the participants.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. Sadiq Ullah, Dean Dr. Imran Khan, Registrar Dr. Muhammad Alam, Director Finance Dr. Murtaza Ali, Dr. Abrar Ali Shah mad PS Muhammad Ismail was a part of the training.

During the workshop, Dr. Jawad Ali Shah demonstrates to the vice-chancellor about the Cloud Academic Empowerment Programme (CAEP). The two parties decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) soon to recognize the importance of skill development for young people.

The Memorandum of Understanding will benefit students including the free registration in the Alibaba Cloud Certificate Associate, Cloud Computing exam, and will grant access to over 300 AAEP (Alibaba Cloud Academic Empowerment Programme). Online courses in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and big data. It will also grant access to the resources for students and teachers to participate in the course to experience first-hand how cloud computing works.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Sadiq Ullah said that “The partnership with Alibaba will enable the university to access the best jobs at the international level, and the university will continue to progress”.

In addition, he also mentioned that “in the future, UET Mardan plans to establish more collaboration with international universities to further excelling technological advancements.

Indeed, the initiative will help to nurture the future of Pakistani students and will help in opening the doors of new opportunities. As it is a time of artificial intelligence and every country is trying to produce something that benefits the economy and technology. Therefore, the initiative taken by the government of Pakistan will help Pakistani students to learn new technology which is essential to grow the economy of Pakistan.