Second Stage of the National AI Hackathon for Young IT Specialists Kicks Off in Samarkand

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — From 20 to 23 January, Samarkand will host the second stage of the National AI Hackathon, offering young specialists from across the country an opportunity to showcase their skills and implement their own IT solutions.

“The National AI Hackathon is a chance for young professionals to contribute to the country’s future. We are confident that the Samarkand stage will generate new ideas and projects that will become part of Uzbekistan’s digital transformation,” emphasized Abdulahad Kuchkarov, CEO of IT Park.

Jasur Jumayev, CEO and founder of Uzum, added that AI-powered services are now an integral part of the company’s products, creating real value for millions of Uzbeks.

“For us, it is important not only to develop advanced solutions but also to share practical experience with young professionals. We actively support projects that give talented youth the opportunity to grow, tackle real-world challenges, and develop professionally. Supporting the National Hackathon is a great honor for Uzum and a contribution to nurturing the next generation of AI specialists in the country,” he noted.

Participants will work on projects in medicine, cybersecurity, education, entrepreneurship, and AI-based solutions for monitoring the circulation of prohibited substances. Teams will receive guidance from experts at leading IT companies and will be able to participate in masterclasses and workshops with IT specialists.

Winners will not only receive valuable prizes but also have the opportunity to secure funding to fully launch their projects.

The National AI Hackathon is organized with the participation of the Ministry of Digital Technologies, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, the Youth Affairs Agency, IT Park Uzbekistan, AICA, ML Community, and Uzinfocom. The main sponsor and partner of the event is the national digital ecosystem Uzum, along with other IT companies in the country.

To participate in the Samarkand stage, residents of the Samarkand region must register at ai-hackathon.uz by January 17.

The first stage of the hackathon took place in October 2025, and by the end of 2026, the project will cover all regions of Uzbekistan. The final will be held in December 2026 in Tashkent, where the best teams will present their AI developments at the national level.