Perspectives Not to Be Overlooked: Uzbekistan's Rise as Central Asia's Technological Epicentre for Artificial Intelligence
Perspectives
Not to
Be
Overlooked: Uzbekistan's Rise as Central Asia's Technological Epicentre for Artificial Intelligence
Text: Alexander Nikolaenko
The autumn of 2024 will be remembered not for the changing hues of the trees but for a profound shift in the way we view intelligence itself. On September 14, ChatGPT-4o1 stunned the world by achieving a remarkable 120 on an IQ test, a score that places it alongside the planet’s most gifted individuals. This milestone signals a striking realisation: we, as humans, may no longer be intriguing enough to hold conversations with machines of this calibre. Our thoughts and words have grown too trivial, too pedestrian. Now, only Nobel laureates and the occasional visionary from the arts — such as Quentin Tarantino, who reportedly solved intricate puzzles with a score of 160 — remain worthy companions for this advanced artificial mind.
Artificial intelligence has woven itself into the very fabric of our existence, as indispensable as wireless networks and the devices we now consider extensions of ourselves. While the United States leads in groundbreaking advancements, Central Asia is far from content to linger in its shadow. Uzbekistan, in particular, is positioning itself as a cradle for AI innovation, where visionaries are shaping the future. Scores of companies are already engaging in AI development, and yet one question lingers: is the market prepared for a future where degrees and diplomas might be outshone by processors?
Nuriddin Lafizov, the visionary CEO of Alif Uzbekistan, believes that automation and the rise of AI do not spell the end for human employment. On the contrary, these advances are the key to unlocking new opportunities. In his company, AI shoulders the weight of monotonous yet intricate tasks, such as credit scoring, allowing human professionals to focus on what they do best: nurturing client relationships. Bekzod Tangmatov, Managing Director of Asakabank, echoes this sentiment, asserting that personal connection and the art of service will forever remain invaluable — especially for the elite clientele who visit banks not just for transactions, but to evaluate their prestige and dependability. Ulugbek Tavakkalov, Deputy Chairman of Tenge Bank, looks ahead and sees robots integrated into roles like contact centres, debt collection, and even marketing.
The thirst for new skills, particularly those that bridge the human mind with AI, is growing insatiable. Raghav Gupta of Coursera marvels at the surge in Uzbeks enrolling in AI courses, a staggering 683 percent increase. In the early days of 2022, Shahriyor Khudoiberdiev who is a visionary student at Inha University, founded a Machine Learning Community. Today, this collective of engineers, scientists, and developers has grown into a force of over 700 individuals, all bound by the common thread of curiosity and innovation.
There is no denying the immense promise AI holds. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has already laid the foundation for Uzbekistan’s next chapter by announcing the creation of a Centre for Artificial Intelligence Technologies. This hub will spearhead the integration of AI across critical sectors — healthcare, agriculture, banking, taxation, and customs. Mirziyoyev’s vision extends beyond the present: he is determined to foster an ecosystem ripe for investment and the incubation of AI-powered startups.
The march of progress is relentless, and with it, a new generation of programmers and innovators will rise, becoming Uzbekistan’s elite. But where does that leave us, the storytellers? Perhaps our roles, too, are evolving. The national news agency UzA has already enlisted an electronic news anchor, fluent in nine languages and so lifelike that she could pass unnoticed on any street. Perhaps the time has come for us to scan ourselves into the digital realm, where we can spend our evenings playing chess with ChatGPT — our newest and most challenging opponent in both intellect and spirit.
