Central Asia joins global AI race

Governments roll out AI strategies, billion-dollar investments to compete on the world stage

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Central Asia is accelerating its push into artificial intelligence (AI), with governments rolling out national strategies, investing in digital infrastructure, and drafting AI-specific laws to compete globally.

Despite challenges in infrastructure and regulation, the region is setting ambitious targets to integrate AI into public administration, economic planning, and digital services.

The report is based on government announcements and regional digital strategy documents from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

Kazakhstan is leading the way in AI development, supported by its strong digital infrastructure.

Over the years, the country has significantly expanded online government services, a transformation that gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Since 2022, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has made AI a national priority, resulting in the Concept for the Development of Artificial Intelligence (2024-2029).

The initiative focuses on expanding data processing centers, launching a national AI platform, and strengthening fiber-optic networks.

Among its key achievements is Smart Data Ukimet, a system that integrates 93 government databases, streamlining governance through AI-powered analytics.

Additionally, the country has developed KazLLM, a language model designed to support the Kazakh language in AI applications.

In December 2024, President Tokayev hailed the project as a major milestone, emphasizing that AI had been trained to think, analyze, and communicate in Kazakh, marking a new chapter for the language in the digital sphere.

Kazakhstan is also taking steps toward AI regulation. On March 3, 2025, the lower house of parliament, the Mazhilis, reviewed a draft AI law that, if passed, could make Kazakhstan the second country after the European Union to establish a comprehensive AI regulatory framework.

Uzbekistan is also making major strides in AI but remains in the early stages of implementation compared to Kazakhstan.

On October 14, 2024, the government formally adopted its AI Strategy Until 2030, which aims to expand AI-powered government services and position Uzbekistan among the top 50 countries in the Global AI Readiness Index.

The strategy also includes plans to develop a national big data repository by September 2025, establish ten AI research laboratories, and increase AI-driven software and services to a $1.5 billion industry.

Speaking at the Almaty Digital Forum, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov highlighted Uzbekistan’s commitment to AI development and emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in advancing digital technologies.

The government has been working to integrate AI into public services, positioning the country as a key player in Central Asia’s AI race.

Kyrgyzstan is currently drafting its National AI Strategy, which focuses on fostering local AI innovation, enhancing collaboration across industries, and using AI solutions to tackle societal challenges.

The newly established National AI Council is leading this effort, working closely with Russia’s Skolkovo Institute to implement AI solutions in public administration and economic planning.

Cabinet Chairman Adylbek Kasymaliev underscored the country’s long-term vision, stating that the government aims to systematically integrate AI into governance to support sustainable development.

The Kyrgyz government is also investing in supercomputers and AI-powered digital tools designed to enhance the use of the Kyrgyz language in the digital space.

Tajikistan was the first country in Central Asia to officially adopt an AI strategy in 2022.

However, its progress has been slow due to infrastructure and regulatory challenges.

In December 2024, the government launched a pilot AI education program in ten schools, with plans to expand AI courses nationwide by 2026. While Tajikistan has taken initial steps in AI development, it still lags behind its regional counterparts in large-scale implementation.

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are emerging as the dominant players in Central Asia’s AI development, each pursuing ambitious goals through national policies and major investments. 

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, while making steady progress, still have significant hurdles to overcome in infrastructure and policy implementation.

Kazakhstan’s proposed AI law could set a regulatory benchmark for the region, while Uzbekistan’s billion-dollar investment plans highlight its commitment to becoming a regional AI leader. As competition grows, the next few years will reveal which country successfully transforms its AI vision into reality.