Uzbekistan Partners with NVIDIA to Build National AI Infrastructure and Training Centers

Uzbekistan is advancing its ambition to become Central Asia’s digital leader through a new strategic partnership with U.S. tech giant NVIDIA, the Ministry of Digital Technologies announced. Minister Sherzod Shermatov met with NVIDIA executives during his official visit to the United States to finalize large-scale initiatives aimed at developing the country’s artificial AI infrastructure and talent ecosystem. According to the ministry, the collaboration will focus on three core areas: knowledge exchange, education, and infrastructure development. NVIDIA will share international best practices in AI governance, ecosystem development, and industry expertise, using open, non-confidential data. A centerpiece of the partnership is the creation of an AI Excellence Center based on NVIDIA technologies and training programs. The center will focus on preparing educators and retraining specialists, with the broader goal of integrating AI curricula into Uzbekistan’s higher education system. Training programs will be supported by the NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute, which will offer technical courses and certification. By 2026, the Ministry of Digital Technologies plans to launch two national AI clusters with a combined computing capacity of up to one megawatt. One cluster will serve educational and research institutions, while the second will support projects in e-government, healthcare, and industrial automation. These initiatives will be carried out through separate agreements, aligned with existing infrastructure and export control requirements. Uzbekistan’s top universities are also set to receive NVIDIA-powered supercomputing systems. Funding for the project has already been secured, with procurement procedures scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025. Additionally, the government will invest $3 million to establish an Industrial AI Excellence Center. This facility will apply NVIDIA technologies to key areas such as digital twins, robotics, and industrial automation. The center is expected to launch in 2026. The Ministry of Digital Technologies said the agreement represents “an important step in integrating global expertise in artificial intelligence and digital transformation with Uzbekistan’s national priorities for sustainable technological growth.” The announcement follows the successful conclusion of ICT Week Uzbekistan 2025, the country’s largest tech forum to date, held in September. The event drew over 20 official delegations, 300 companies, and 20,000 participants from more than 50 countries. With artificial intelligence and emerging technologies at the forefront, the forum reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s goal of becoming a regional digital hub and converting global partnerships into long-term innovation and investment pipelines. The Times of Central Asia recently spoke with Minister Shermatov about Uzbekistan’s efforts to attract investment, prepare its workforce for an AI-driven economy, and ensure data protection as digitalization accelerates.

Kazakhstan Launches Central Asia’s Most Powerful Supercomputer

Kazakhstan has officially launched the most powerful supercomputer in Central Asia, marking a significant milestone in its push for digital sovereignty. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attended the inauguration ceremony at the new data center operated by the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry. According to the presidential press service, the computing cluster, built on NVIDIA H200 graphics processors, can deliver up to 2 exaflops (two quintillion operations per second) of performance, making it the region’s most advanced high-performance computing system. Tokayev emphasized that the launch will catalyze digital transformation across key sectors of the Kazakh economy. The system will be accessible to startups working in neural networks, universities, research institutions, and both public and private sector enterprises. “Having our own high-performance infrastructure will accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence, reduce dependence on foreign IT resources, and ensure the country’s technological sovereignty,” said Zhaslan Madiev, Minister of Digital Development. Boosting Domestic Capabilities Madiev noted that many Kazakh companies, including fintech firms and startups, currently rely on foreign cloud providers such as Amazon and Google for computing resources. This dependence leads to capital outflows and heightens risks related to data security. He added that local engineers have received specialized training, and full operational control of the supercomputer will be transitioned to Kazakhstani specialists over the next five years. During his visit to the National Computer Center, Tokayev was introduced to a range of domestic digital initiatives in fields such as healthcare, education, governance, and urban infrastructure. These include: SmartCity Astana: A project aimed at creating a digital twin of the capital, incorporating over 100,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras for real-time threat detection and public safety monitoring. AlemLLM: A large language model customized for local linguistic and cultural contexts. AI Kitap: An adaptive learning platform that offers personalized digital education based on student levels and preferences. Baspana Hub: A digital ecosystem for real estate, integrating government services, property evaluations, a marketplace, and renovation support. Tokayev also viewed presentations from emerging Kazakhstani tech startups. Among them was Surfaice.pro, a construction technology firm founded by Kazakhstani entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. The company operates in five U.S. states and has raised $1.5 million in funding from Big Sky Capital and Shadow Ventures. A Strategic Investment in Digital Sovereignty As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the launch of the supercomputer aligns with Kazakhstan’s broader ambition to become a regional technology hub. It was developed under a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Digital Development and UAE-based Presight AI Ltd. With its enhanced digital infrastructure and growing ecosystem of AI innovation, Kazakhstan is positioning itself at the forefront of high-performance computing and artificial intelligence in Central Asia.