Uzbekistan Aims to Unite Computing Power in Central Asia

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has called on Central Asian countries to connect national data centers into a unified computing network. He also proposed joint training of personnel and expanding opportunities for technological entrepreneurship. The initiative continues a series of agreements by Tashkent in the fields of AI, infrastructure, and specialist training with South Korea, Belarus, Japan, and Switzerland.

Mirziyoyev made the statement at the eighth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan in Avaza (Turkmenistan). According to him, an interconnected network of national data centers could become the foundation of a common computing infrastructure. "This will allow for more efficient use of computing power, development of our own digital products, and creation of conditions for large projects in the field of artificial intelligence," the president emphasized.

He noted that the region needs specialists, scientific research, and strong technology companies, and proposed launching joint training programs, supporting scientific projects, and creating conditions for technological entrepreneurship. "Artificial intelligence and big data are already changing industry, transport, energy, agriculture, education, and public administration. The productivity of our economies and their ability to compete in the future will largely depend on these technologies," Mirziyoyev explained.

Agreements with South Korea are closest to this idea: the parties exchanged a package of 13 documents, the key one providing for the introduction of AI in industry and the creation of data centers. Investment projects are valued at $12 billion. With Belarus, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov named AI and the digital economy as one of the four priorities for cooperation, listing AI solutions, data centers, cybersecurity, and IT specialist training. With Japan, Uzbekistan is expanding the JDS scholarship program for civil servants—they study AI, smart cities, digital twins, and intelligent transport systems. With Switzerland, Minister Sherzod Shermatov and Ambassador Simon Giger discussed AI, innovation, and open models for digital education.