Digital Technologies - The Times Of Central Asia

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Digital Technologies

Karakalpakstan to Become Data Center Hub Under Uzbekistan’s Digital Strategy

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has launched the second phase of the IT Park Uzbekistan innovation complex in Tashkent’s Mirzo-Ulugbek district, signaling a major advance in the country’s digital transformation agenda. Speaking to Uzbekistan 24, Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Xotamovich said the next stage of digital development will prioritize AI integration. Mirziyoyev has directed that AI technologies be embedded in the expansion of IT Park to foster a comprehensive national innovation ecosystem. The new phase of IT Park will accommodate AI-focused startups and modern data centers equipped with high-performance graphic processors capable of handling large-scale data processing. A flagship project is a 12-megawatt data center under construction by Saudi firm DataVolt, which is set to become the largest facility of its kind in Central Asia, purpose-built for AI applications. DataVolt intends to expand its investments in Uzbekistan, with the total capacity of future data centers expected to reach 500 megawatts. This would position Uzbekistan as a leading regional hub for data storage and processing. Mirziyoyev also identified Karakalpakstan as a strategic location for energy-intensive digital projects. He proposed transforming the region into a large-scale data center hub, offering major incentives to investors contributing more than $100 million. These include tax breaks and infrastructure support, as well as a preferential electricity tariff of five cents per kWh, significantly lower than the current average rate of about eight cents. Authorities are targeting global tech firms such as Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon to establish data operations in Uzbekistan. The initiative is designed to strengthen the country’s position as a regional digital hub and accelerate the integration of AI across key sectors of the economy.

Kazakh AI Firm Partners with UK Driving Authority to Modernize Testing

Kazakh IT firm TrustExam.ai, operating under the brand Oqylyq.kz, has signed a strategic agreement with the UK’s Driving Instructors Association (DIA), the largest professional body in the UK’s driver training sector. The partnership aims to modernize the country’s certification and examination systems, making them more transparent, efficient, and technology-driven. From London Tech Week to Strategic Deal The agreement traces back to June 2025, when TrustExam.ai, with the support of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in London and Astana Hub, participated in London Tech Week, the UK’s flagship technology event, which annually attracts more than 45,000 attendees from 90 countries. At the Kazakhstan national stand, the company showcased its AI-powered solutions and held negotiations with leaders in the British AI and fintech sectors. This ultimately led to cooperation with the DIA, opening access to one of Europe’s largest certification markets. Transforming UK Driver Testing The partnership will facilitate the digital transformation of theoretical exams for UK drivers and motorcyclists. TrustExam.ai’s technology promises to deliver: Enhanced fairness and objectivity in testing Accelerated examination timelines Flexible scheduling and expanded exam center capacity without compromising quality “DIA already sets a high standard for the reliability of practical exams and the quality of instructor training. Our new partnership with TrustExam.ai will allow us to deliver even more robust, efficient, and user-friendly solutions for candidate assessment,” said Carly Brookfield, CEO of the DIA. For candidates, the changes will reduce waiting times and speed up access to licenses. For government agencies and driving schools, the system offers cost savings and greater transparency in the certification process. A Kazakh Platform with Global Reach TrustExam.ai already operates at scale, serving over 2 million users annually. A member of Stanford University’s StartX startup accelerator, the platform is used globally by universities, government institutions, and examination centers to maintain academic integrity and certification reliability. The DIA represents thousands of UK driving instructors, and its subdivision, Diamond Advanced Motorists, holds international recognition in the field of advanced driver training. Kazakhstan’s Expanding AI Ecosystem Kazakhstan continues to advance domestic AI initiatives. At Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, researchers have developed “Zhurek AI,” a platform for the early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. Using neural networks and SVM algorithms, it analyzes medical data to support clinical decision-making. Meanwhile, at Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University, AI systems integrated with drones and multispectral imaging are being used to evaluate soil and crop conditions. These “field health maps” help optimize resources, minimize harvest losses, and reduce investment risks in agriculture. From education to healthcare and agriculture, Kazakhstan’s AI innovations are gaining global traction. The partnership between TrustExam.ai and the DIA underscores how technologies developed in Astana and Almaty are making their mark on the international stage.

Web Summit

Uzbekistan to Host First-Ever Web Summit Spotlight in Central Asia

Uzbekistan will host its first Web Summit Spotlight on September 27 in Tashkent, marking a significant milestone for the country’s growing tech sector. The Ministry of Digital Technologies and IT Park Uzbekistan, co-organizers of the event, confirmed the announcement in an official press release. The event is being held in partnership with Web Summit, one of the world’s most prominent technology conferences, which draws more than 70,000 participants each year to its flagship gathering in Lisbon. In recent years, Web Summit has expanded globally with editions in Rio de Janeiro, Qatar, and Vancouver. Tashkent will now join this lineup, positioning Uzbekistan as a rising hub for innovation and international tech collaboration. According to organizers, Web Summit Spotlight: Uzbekistan will bring together leading global experts, venture capitalists, startup founders, and IT industry executives. The program will highlight Uzbekistan’s evolving role as a center for technological innovation, opportunities for international investment in emerging markets, and current trends in venture funding. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has consistently stressed the importance of digital transformation for Uzbekistan’s future. “We are creating conditions for Uzbekistan to become a true center of innovation, where young people can turn their talent and energy into globally competitive projects,” the president said earlier this year while outlining the country’s digital development strategy. The forum comes amid rapid growth in Uzbekistan’s IT sector. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, revenues from IT outsourcing tripled to more than $300 million, following four consecutive years of annual doubling. The United States remains the primary destination for Uzbek IT exports, accounting for half of all outsourcing contracts. Authorities aim to grow outsourcing revenues to $5 billion by 2030, with a projected 300,000 people employed in the sector. IT Park Uzbekistan has played a pivotal role in this transformation. By the end of 2023, it was home to 1,652 resident companies, nearly half of which were founded that year. With attractive tax incentives and support services, the park has become a magnet for both domestic and international tech talent.

Osaka Expo 2025

Bold Pavilions, Big Statements: Central Asia at Osaka Expo 2025

On a sweltering August day, The Times of Central Asia arrived at the Osaka Expo 2025. The theme, "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," set the stage for a carnival of new ideas and technology. Pavilions buzzed with invention, each one a world of its own. Central Asia turned heads - with all five countries represented - with vibrant stalls, bustling booths, and grand castle-like showpieces that drew crowds from every corner. [caption id="attachment_35420" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Kazakhstan Pavilion; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland[/caption] Kazakhstan’s pavilion presents the theme “Born Bold” in the “Connecting Lives” zone, alongside South Korea, Germany, Luxembourg, Nepal, Azerbaijan, Iran, Monaco, and Türkiye. At its heart rises the shanyrak, the sacred crown of the yurt, once a symbol of roots and now a beacon of unity, mirroring the Expo’s spirit of innovation and shared horizons. The story begins with the essence of the Kazakh people. Generations, history, culture, and traditions unfold from the Kazakh Khanate and the vast steppe to Abai’s poetry and the nation’s sporting heroes. It is a narrative of memory and strength, where the past is not closed, but carried forward as a living value. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://timesca.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/KZ1-REMOVE-AUDIO-Videobolt.net_.mp4"][/video] From history, the focus shifts to unity. Every guest becomes part of the experience as their face is woven into a digital mosaic, a vivid symbol of belonging. Interactive technologies present Kazakhstan as a country where diversity does not divide but connects. From past to present, the spotlight then falls on a Kazakhstan that is inventive and future-ready. Visitors explore the country’s energy transition, green initiatives, digitalization, and work in artificial intelligence, alongside its rise as an investment hub. [caption id="attachment_35413" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Prolonging life - ALEM at the EXPO; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland[/caption] The final chapter places pride and place on the groundbreaking ALEM (Astana Life Ex-situ Machine) developed by Kazakh scientists. Created by the Heart Center Foundation, it is already redefining the possibilities of transplantation. The window for organ transplants is short, from just a few hours for a heart or lungs to more than a day for a kidney. ALEM changes the game. By replicating the body’s internal conditions, it can keep a donor heart alive for 24 hours, opening new possibilities. Only a few models currently exist, including the one on display in the pavilion. [caption id="attachment_35414" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] The Turkmenistan Pavilion; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland[/caption] The Turkmenistan Pavilion dazzles with three lavish floors beneath an iconic, rounded-triangular ceiling that symbolizes circulation, sustainability, and the flow of life. On the ground level, an epic immersive video left the Japanese audience gasping as it honored Turkmenistan’s great men, legendary horses, and loyal dogs, while women appeared only in fleeting roles. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://timesca.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/TK1.mp4"][/video] The second-floor shifts to the present, celebrating modern achievements, from the smart city of Arkadag to advances in industry, finance, and science. The space unfolds as an eclectic mix of books, jewelry, rugs, and even everyday objects like bottles of oil. At its center, a glowing...

Education

Tokayev Urges Equal Education Standards Across Urban and Rural Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for narrowing the gap in education quality between urban and rural schools and accelerating the integration of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) into the country's education system. Speaking at the annual August Teachers' Conference, Tokayev emphasized that building a modern, inclusive nation requires equal opportunities for all children, regardless of geography. “All children must have equal opportunities. Therefore, an important task is to eliminate inequality in the quality of education in cities and villages,” he stated. Over the past four years, the material and technical infrastructure of more than 4,000 rural schools has been upgraded. Still, Tokayev stressed that this progress must be complemented by digital transformation, including the introduction of AI into the curriculum. “The concepts of ‘progressive nation’ and ‘technological nation’ are synonymous today,” he said, adding that digitalization is central to improving educational outcomes. Currently, over 95% of schools in Kazakhstan are connected to high-speed internet. Tokayev has instructed that this figure reach 100%, potentially through the use of Starlink satellite technology. “This is not just a technical issue, but a principle of social justice,” he added. The president also noted that advanced technologies will support the development of an inclusive education environment, particularly benefiting children with special needs. Several core educational services in Kazakhstan have already been digitized, including school and college admissions, inter-school transfers, and the Bilim service on the eGov mobile platform. However, Tokayev underscored the need to further equip schools with interactive tools and ensure universal access to digital platforms and electronic textbooks. The president placed particular emphasis on early instruction in AI technologies and continuous professional development for teachers. “Teachers must not only know their subject, but also be able to apply new technologies,” he said. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the latest PISA assessment noted improvements in education access across Central Asia but highlighted a decline in academic performance among students in the region.

Agricultural Trade

Kazakhstan Proposes Digital Platform for SCO Agricultural Trade

At a recent gathering of agricultural ministry officials from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states in Beijing, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Yermek Kenzhekhanuly, proposed establishing a unified digital platform to streamline and enhance agricultural trade across the bloc. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the country exported $5.1 billion worth of agricultural products in 2024, a 3.9% year-on-year increase to 16.1 million tons. Notably, 69% of this trade involved nine SCO member countries, underscoring both regional interdependence and the potential for expanded agricultural cooperation. The SCO includes Kazakhstan, China, Russia, Belarus, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. “We view the agricultural sector as an area for strategic partnership, not competition,” Kenzhekhanuly stated. He emphasized Kazakhstan's readiness to help develop a unified agricultural space grounded in trust, coordination, and complementarity. The proposed digital platform would incorporate tools for electronic certification, logistics tracking, and product traceability. The Kazakh delegation also stressed the importance of harmonizing technical regulations and phytosanitary standards to facilitate mutual trade and eliminate non-tariff barriers. The meeting concluded with the signing of the Protocol of the Tenth Meeting of SCO Ministers of Agriculture, reaffirming the member states' commitment to deepening cooperation in the agricultural sector. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is also working to diversify its agricultural export markets, including recent wheat shipments to North Africa.