Central Eurasia Launches AI Readiness Initiative to Boost Global Visibility

A new initiative to measure AI capacity across Central Eurasia was launched at an MIT conference on 23 April. The project will examine ecosystems in five countries: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Its goal is to boost the region’s global visibility in artificial intelligence development. The Central Eurasian AI Readiness initiative focuses on four key areas: infrastructure, government and legal systems, human capital and training, and AI-driven startups. The study introduces a methodology to identify often-overlooked gaps in these ecosystems.

Collaboration is central to the effort. Partners include the Silkroad Innovation Hub, Freedom Holding, Astana Hub, and IT Park Uzbekistan. Maken Sikhayev, an adviser at Freedom Finance Global PLC, stated that the initiative aims to put Central Eurasia’s AI progress on the global map.

In Uzbekistan, the focus lies on expanding the AI workforce and applying the technology across industries. Azamat Karamatov, CEO of IT Park Uzbekistan, highlighted these efforts as critical for national growth. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan has made AI a national priority, according to Magzhan Madiyev, CEO of Astana Hub. Investments there include human capital development and platforms like alem.ai to foster collaboration.

The findings will be shared at regional technology events beginning in September 2026. The initiative will assess AI infrastructure, policy frameworks, and commercialisation across the five countries. By addressing gaps and showcasing progress, it seeks to strengthen the region’s position in the global AI landscape. The results are set to inform future investments and partnerships.