Abacus Consulting runs APIthon II in Pakistan with focus on AI and API

Abacus Consulting in conjunction with its business partners has recently held Pakistan’s second APIthon event in Islamabad. The focus of the event was on enabling technology innovation in Pakistan’s telecom and financial sectors as well as in ticketing and ride-sharing.

According to Abacus Consulting, Pakistan is on the verge of a major disruption with the introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies. In Pakistan, automation is mainly associated within heavy-duty industries. However with the recent developments made in artificial intelligence (AI) and automated programming interface (API) technologies, companies who introduce new software can streamline their effectiveness and optimise productivity.

Abacus Consulting is the largest independent Pakistani consulting, technology and outsourcing firm, both in terms of revenue and staff numbers. The ex-PwC firm went out on its own in 2003 and sees itself as the leader in Pakistan’s transition to a digital economy. The firm organised the first APIthon, which was run in Lahore in January, and the second event has been held at the National Incubation Centre in Islamabad.

The winner’s title of the second chapter of APIthon was awarded to Host Inn, a hostel search and payment platform, while the runner-up prizes went to Mad Hunt, an app aimed at helping those with anxiety and depression better interact with their surrounding and social group through augmented reality, and Mera Paisa, a mobile payment platform supporting the unbanked population of Pakistan."Abacus sees its role as an enabler of the digital economy in Pakistan. We are currently working with over 600 different companies and helping them with modern technologies including AI and RPA," said Shoaib Khan, the digital transformation solutions vice-president at Abacus Consulting.

The event is an attempt to solidify robotic process automation (RPA) culture amongst the country’s businesses and to help expose businesses to industry disrupting technology. APIthon II aimed to attract start-ups and entrepreneurs with a number of incentives including mentoring both participants and competition winners.

"Among so many prizes, one is this opportunity to book a berth in the Draper University, Silicon Valley in California where the winners of the APIthon will hone their skills under the mentorship of international application developers and business leaders," said Abbas Ali Khan, Managing Director of the Abacus Consulting.

By facilitating such an event, Shoaib Khan hoped to create an environment which will facilitate digital opportunity in the country. "Let’s make sure that newcomers, who are looking to take part in the ongoing digital revolution, feel encouraged to bring their innovative ideas to the table," he said.

Pakistan’s profitably ability to adapt to rapidly changing market trends will be determined by the private sectors willingness to innovate and invest early. “We’re living in exciting times, where the Artificial Intelligence has taken over the stage and is drastically changing the way we live and work," Khan added.