Karachi: S&P Global have expanded their three-year, $10 million StepForward initiative aimed at preparing young people with the skills required to thrive in an AI-driven workforce.
Launched in December 2025, the initiative supports organizations delivering innovative workforce readiness and AI education programs worldwide. Through global and regional collaborations, alongside skills-based volunteering by S&P Global employees, the program seeks to empower youth with future-ready capabilities.
Mujeeb Zahur said that Urdu AI will play a key role in providing accessible AI literacy training through mobile-friendly courses and workshops in Urdu. The initiative is expected to help youth across Pakistan develop practical AI, digital, and problem-solving skills while serving a global Urdu-speaking community of over one million learners.
The S&P Global Foundation has also partnered with MIT Solve through the Essential Innovation Challenge to identify six regional nonprofit organizations that will deliver workforce development programs tailored to local market needs. These organizations, including Urdu AI in Pakistan, are receiving funding to scale AI learning and human-centric skills development initiatives.
Qaisar Roonjha said the partnership would help underserved communities gain access to AI education in their native language, ensuring that young people are not excluded from opportunities in the emerging AI economy.
Additionally, Generation and MIT RAISE will receive grants from the S&P Global Foundation to implement AI-focused youth development and employment programs across key markets.
The UN Youth Office, supported through an S&P Global corporate-funded contribution, will lead a global awareness campaign focused on future-ready skills needed for rapidly evolving labor markets. The initiative aims to reach more than one million young people worldwide.
S&P Global has also continued to promote AI adoption and workforce upskilling through initiatives such as EssentialTECH education programs, “AI for Everyone” employee training, internal AI tools including Kensho Spark Assist, and strategic partnerships designed to strengthen workforce development and career mobility.
