Uzbekistan will establish an “Artificial Intelligence Alliance,” President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced on October 21 during a video conference on the development of AI technologies.
Drawing on international best practices, the Alliance will bring together leading companies, banks, universities, state enterprises, as well as foreign experts and compatriots. Its main objectives will include fostering international cooperation, promoting Uzbek AI initiatives through public relations campaigns, and supporting local specialists’ participation in global exhibitions, forums, and conferences. The Alliance is expected to help Uzbekistan enter the world’s top 50 countries in AI development by 2030.
Mirziyoyev noted that humanity is entering an “era of artificial intelligence,” with AI technologies increasingly penetrating all spheres of life. Earlier forecasts estimated the global AI market at $15 trillion by 2030, but analysts now expect it to exceed $20 trillion. The president emphasized that Uzbekistan’s AI-based services sector could reach $10 billion by 2030 — far surpassing the previously planned $1.5 billion.
Uzbekistan has already taken several steps to develop the field: it adopted the AI Development Strategy through 2030, created a dedicated center within the Ministry of Digital Technologies, and launched over 30 pilot projects nationwide. These efforts helped the country climb 17 positions in the global AI readiness index, ranking 70th worldwide and first in Central Asia.
Mirziyoyev instructed ministers, regional governors (hokims), and sector leaders to dedicate one day each week to AI development. He also ordered the introduction of a new position — advisor to the hokim on digitalization and artificial intelligence — in all cities and districts, as well as the creation of AI development departments within every ministry and local administration. These departments will focus on finding solutions to improve efficiency, enhance service quality, and reduce unnecessary expenses, the shadow economy, and bureaucracy.
The meeting also showcased concrete examples of AI implementation. In the city of Urgench, an AI-powered “Smart City” system has been launched, integrating key municipal services — from utilities (electricity, gas, water) to transportation, road management, and waste disposal — into a unified operations center. AI analyzes incoming requests and helps identify comprehensive solutions, allowing the city to save 16 billion soms (around $1.3 million) annually. Governors of all regional and district centers have been instructed to adopt Urgench’s model by the end of the year.
