President of Uzbekistan Unveils New AI and Digitalization Initiatives

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — President Shavkat Mirziyoyev presented a series of new initiatives today at the Artificial Intelligence Forum, aimed at accelerating Uzbekistan’s digital transformation, expanding the use of AI technologies, and creating additional opportunities for youth.

The President highlighted the country’s achievements in digitalization and AI development, including attracting nearly US$2 billion in foreign direct investment in AI and digital technologies and increasing IT service exports 4.5 times, approaching US$1 billion.

Emphasis was placed on IT education and workforce development. The number of universities training IT specialists has nearly tripled to 145 institutions, with over 80,000 students enrolled in IT programs. More than two million young Uzbeks have enhanced their skills through the “Bir million dasturchi” project, and 20,000 computer science teachers are receiving intensive training in partnership with MIT through the New Uzbekistan University program.

Digital technologies have also been actively implemented in healthcare. Digital diagnostics have enabled over 50,000 patients to receive accurate diagnoses, reducing service times by 5–7 times. In Karakalpakstan, 70% of mammography images were analyzed by a domestic AI platform, with 98% of results confirmed by doctors and the average diagnosis time reduced from several days to two hours.

The startup ecosystem is expanding rapidly: the number of tech startups has increased tenfold, with total investment reaching US$300 million. In partnership with Saudi Arabia, construction has begun on the first green data center, valued at US$3 billion.

Key upcoming initiatives include:

Launching a supercomputer cluster in partnership with Nvidia.

Opening a National Transfer Office in Silicon Valley, USA.

Implementing an AI curriculum in all national “Centers of the Future.”

Establishing an annual nationwide AI startup competition between schools, with modern AI labs set up in regional school winners.

Organizing the Presidential AI Competition, selecting 100 top young talents annually for internships in leading tech companies in the US, UAE, and Europe.

Rolling out the “5 Million AI Leaders” program, aiming to train 4.75 million students, 150,000 teachers, and 100,000 civil servants by 2030.

Declaring every November as the “Month of AI for Youth” and holding regular Silk Road AI Forums.

President Mirziyoyev emphasized that these measures will create new technological opportunities for young people, promote the development of an innovative economy, and strengthen Uzbekistan’s position as a nation with advanced digital governance systems.