The term “rare earth metals” has become a buzzword in the modern geo-economic lexicon, popularized by U.S. President Donald Trump in contexts where American investments are expected. However, before that, “artificial intelligence” (AI) had already emerged as a global symbol of technological advancement and economic competitiveness. At least four of the five Central Asian republics have joined the race to implement AI technologies, though, until recently, two of them lacked the necessary prerequisites for such a leap.
Kazakhstan Sets the Pace
A key factor for the successful adoption of AI is the level of digitalization, an area in which Kazakhstan has made significant progress. The country’s digital transformation began with the banking sector and later expanded to public services, with nearly 100% of government services now available online. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this shift, making digital access to state institutions and banks a necessity.
Since 2022, when AI became synonymous with technological leadership, exemplified by developments in China and the U.S., Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has actively promoted AI initiatives. In the summer of 2023, the government adopted the Concept for the Development of Artificial Intelligence for 2024-2029.
During discussions on this initiative, officials reviewed measures already in place, such as Smart Data Ukimet, a centralized system integrating data from 93 government databases. Plans include deploying a supercomputer, expanding data processing centers, launching a national AI platform, and enhancing fiber-optic networks.
Additionally, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education is working on a large language model (LLM) focused on the Kazakh language and cultural heritage. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has set a clear goal:
“By 2029, the number of AI-based products should increase fivefold. The share of educational programs related to AI must also expand. We need qualified specialists in this field, and it is crucial to consider the needs of domestic companies, which will have a multiplier effect on the economy.”
Bektenov also emphasized the role of the National Center for AI in fostering youth involvement, developing human capital, and promoting AI culture. Furthermore, he instructed the Ministry of Justice to enhance legal frameworks for AI regulation.
In December 2024, President Tokayev presented Kazakhstan’s first Kazakh language AI model, KazLLM, expressing satisfaction with its development:
“We have taught artificial intelligence to think, analyze, and communicate in Kazakh. This achievement opens new prospects for our language in the digital sphere. We must build a Multimodal Language Model, capable of processing various data types simultaneously.”
On March 3, 2025, Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis (lower house of parliament) reviewed a draft law, On Artificial Intelligence. If passed, it will be the world’s second AI law after the European AI Act.
Uzbekistan’s Ambitious Strategy
Uzbekistan, another Central Asian country vying for AI leadership, has similarly prioritized digitalization. However, it lags slightly behind Kazakhstan in implementation speed.
On October 14, 2024, Uzbekistan adopted its Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence Technologies Until 2030, which outlines several ambitious targets:
- Increasing AI-driven software and services to $1.5 billion
- Expanding AI-powered government services on the Single Portal of Interactive Government Services (my.gov.uz) to 10% of total services
- Establishing 10 AI research laboratories and high-performance computing servers
- Achieving a top-50 ranking in the Government AI Readiness Index
- Developing a big data repository by September 1, 2025, ensuring compliance with cybersecurity regulations
- Deploying computing infrastructure for AI research by May 1, 2026
The strategy was officially presented by Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov on January 31, 2025, at the Almaty Digital Forum, notably, on Kazakh soil.
Kyrgyzstan’s High-Tech Aspirations
At the Almaty Digital Forum, Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers, announced the upcoming National AI Strategy, calling it “a road to a high-tech future.” The strategy will focus on:
- Developing local AI products
- Enhancing cross-sector cooperation
- Addressing societal challenges with AI solutions
The Kyrgyz government recently established the National AI Council, a key decision-making body for AI policy. According to Kasymaliev:
“Our goal is to systematically integrate AI into government operations to ensure sustainable development and strengthen Kyrgyzstan’s standing in the global tech landscape.”
Kyrgyzstan has turned to Russia’s Skolkovo Institute for AI expertise, particularly in economic applications and public administration. The government also aims to acquire supercomputers and develop digital tools to promote the Kyrgyz language online.
Tajikistan’s Gradual Progress
Tajikistan claims to be Central Asia’s AI leader, citing its 2022 National AI Strategy, the region’s first such initiative. However, implementation has been slow.
The first tangible progress came in December 2024, when the Council on Artificial Intelligence, under the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies, launched a pilot AI education program in five schools. This was later expanded to five more institutions.
By 2026, Tajikistan plans to introduce AI fundamentals as a subject in all schools.
The Road Ahead
While Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are leading Central Asia’s AI push, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are also taking steps to integrate AI into governance, education, and industry. However, practical implementation remains uneven, and regulatory challenges persist.
Kazakhstan’s potential AI law could set a regional precedent, while Uzbekistan’s AI investment targets demonstrate a bold economic vision. Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan’s reliance on Russian expertise and Tajikistan’s slow progress highlight the varied approaches to AI development across Central Asia.
As competition intensifies, the coming years will reveal which country can turn ambitious AI strategies into tangible economic and technological progress.
