KPMG: Central Asian Firms Lead in Industrial AI Adoption

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Companies in Central Asia and the Caucasus are outpacing the global market in the rate of industrial artificial intelligence adoption, with 53% of them already moving AI solutions into production with a measurable effect, compared to a global average of only 24%. This data was published by KPMG Caucasus and Central Asia in a study of technology trends based on a survey of more than 70 companies in the region and 2,500 technology leaders worldwide.

Uzbekistan is among the markets where the growth of investments in cybersecurity is particularly noticeable. According to the study, 63% of companies in Central Asia and the Caucasus reported a significant increase in budgets for this area, compared to 41% globally, with the most pronounced growth recorded in Georgia and Uzbekistan.

All surveyed companies in Uzbekistan (100%) plan to increase investments in digital twin technologies and advanced modeling. For comparison, the average for Central Asia and the Caucasus is 87%, and the global average is 72%.

According to KPMG, this dynamic is related to the sector structure of the country's economy, where capital-intensive sectors—such as energy, mining, manufacturing, and logistics—play a significant role. For these industries, digital twins are becoming a practical tool for increasing reliability, optimizing processes, and reducing technological risks.

Overall, 99% of respondents from the countries of the region consider investment in technology to be a key source of competitive advantage in the next three years, compared to 90% globally. Business optimism in the region is also high: 91% of companies recorded revenue growth over the past five years, and 93% expect it to continue over the next 24 months.

At the same time, the study identifies a number of systemic risks. About half of the companies in the region do not monitor the effectiveness of IT initiatives systematically, and 50% face difficulties in scaling AI solutions. An additional threat is the accumulation of technical debt: companies in the region spend an average of about 21% of their IT budgets on supporting existing systems, whereas technology leaders globally direct 34% to these purposes.

"We see that the technological agenda of Central Asia and the Caucasus has entered a phase of managed maturity. The region is acting less out of a logic of waiting and more often making decisions under conditions of uncertainty. In terms of the share of companies using AI industrially, our region significantly outpaces the global market. But the next stage becomes critical: it is important to turn individual successes into a sustainable capability of the organization, with clear responsibility, mature governance mechanisms, and people's trust," noted Konstantin Aushev, Partner and Head of Technology at KPMG Caucasus and Central Asia.

According to KPMG experts, the current stage is a turning point for the region, as it will determine whether the technological momentum can turn into a long-term competitive advantage or remain only a temporary window of opportunity.