Artificial intelligence has become one of the key tools of the modern economy. It helps companies analyse data, improve services, translate languages, detect risks, and make decisions. AI is also changing how countries compete in the global market.

Uzbekistan, a Central Asian country known for its Silk Road cities, is also entering this new era. Along with using imported technologies, the country is preparing local specialists, supporting startups, and making public services more efficient.

The foundation of this transformation began with wider digital reforms. The "Digital Uzbekistan – 2030" strategy created a long-term direction for internet infrastructure, electronic government, IT education, and digital business. According to the Digital Government portal of Uzbekistan, internet coverage reached 99.5 per cent during the 2020–2025 period, while users of the Unified Portal of Interactive Public Services reached 11.2 million.

Artificial intelligence became a separate national priority in 2024. According to the Ministry of Digital Technologies, Presidential Resolution No. PQ-358, adopted on October 14, 2024, approved the Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence Technologies until 2030. The strategy sets specific targets, such as increasing the volume of AI-based software products and services to 1.5 billion dollars, introducing AI into public services, expanding scientific laboratories, and placing Uzbekistan among the top 50 countries in the Government AI Readiness Index. There is already visible progress in this direction. In the 2025 edition of the index, published by Oxford Insights, Uzbekistan ranked 62nd, climbing from 70th a year earlier and from 87th in 2023.

Uzbekistan already had experience in mass digital learning through the "One Million Uzbek Programmers" initiative. In 2026, the Ministry of Digital Technologies reported that more than one million learners had completed IT courses and received certificates under this programme. This created a foundation for a new stage of AI-focused training.

A major step was the "5 Million AI Leaders" project, launched in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev described the initiative as a continuation of the "One Million Programmers" project and a new opportunity for young people. The programme aims to spread AI literacy among students, entrepreneurs, and future professionals across the country.

Other youth programmes are also appearing. The Youth Affairs Agency lists the "Ustoz AI" project, which gives young people access to more than 40 online courses through an innovative platform. In 2026, the agency also announced the "SMM AI Savodxon" programme, a six-week course teaching social media marketing and content creation with artificial intelligence. It is also important to mention that these projects bring AI into practical, everyday skills rather than keeping it as an academic subject.

Universities and international partners are also playing a role. According to the Ministry of Digital Technologies, Uzbekistan plans to create AI laboratories in 15 higher education institutions. IT Park Uzbekistan has reported cooperation with Stanford Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence, OpenAI Academy, the Asian Development Bank, and the Youth Affairs Agency through the AI Leaders 2026 programme for executives.

At the same time, Uzbekistan is connecting AI education with business. IT Park Uzbekistan has become one of the main platforms for technology companies, startups, outsourcing firms, and young entrepreneurs. According to IT Park, Uzbekistan's startup ecosystem attracted 329 million dollars in investment in 2025, and the number of deals increased from 38 to 140.

Some AI startups are already becoming visible. The Youth Affairs Agency reported that the Yoshlar Ventures fund made its first investment of 50,000 dollars in Tilmoch AI, a platform for translation and grammar checking in Uzbek and other Turkic languages. This is important because local-language AI can help Uzbekistan participate in the global technology race while preserving its linguistic identity.

Artificial intelligence is also entering government work. According to the presidential presentation on AI and digitalisation in 2026, more than 200 pilot initiatives had been launched, and around 100 practical projects were under implementation. These projects cover areas such as healthcare, banking and finance, tax and customs administration, transport, mining, agriculture, and public safety.

There are already practical examples. The government reported that AI-based production chain analysis at Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex helped reduce energy consumption by 10 per cent, lower production costs by 15 per cent, and raise labour productivity by 10 per cent. Earlier official information also noted that MyID and UzFace biometric solutions were used by more than 70 organisations, while Uzbekspace used AI to identify thousands of illegal mineral uses and unauthorised construction cases.

However, challenges remain. A 2025 UNDP study on Uzbekistan's digital economy noted problems such as the rural digital divide, uneven digital skills, cybersecurity needs, and the importance of stronger regulation. According to the same study, the country's first AI strategy aims to create over 430,000 jobs and contribute 10 billion dollars to GDP by 2030, so teacher training, data protection, ethical AI use, and equal access to technology will be crucial for reaching these goals.

Overall, Uzbekistan's AI story is still at an early stage; however, it is developing rapidly. The strategies, training programmes, and pilot projects are in place, and the first results, from rising index rankings to factory-level savings, are now on record. Whether these early numbers turn into lasting change for students, businesses, and ordinary citizens is a question the coming years will answer.