Uzbekistan’s Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) has approved a new bill in its first reading that seeks to regulate the use of artificial intelligence, and introduce legal accountability for the misuse of personal data involving AI technologies.
The bill was reviewed during a parliamentary session on April 15 and is designed to safeguard personal privacy in the face of rapidly advancing AI capabilities. It proposes penalties for the unauthorized processing and dissemination of personal data, particularly through online platforms and the media, when artificial intelligence is involved.
Balancing Innovation and Risk
Lawmakers noted that global investment in AI reached $154 billion in 2023 and was expected to double in 2024, with projections of a tenfold increase by 2030. Uzbekistan is actively working to integrate AI across various sectors, including industry, public administration, crime prevention, and environmental management.
However, the government has also raised alarms about the risks posed by unregulated AI use. In particular, concerns have grown over privacy violations stemming from deepfake content and manipulated media. In 2024 alone, incidents involving fake AI-generated images and videos of public figures increased fiftyfold. The number of reported cases involving illegal use of AI-generated content rose from 1,129 in 2023 to 3,553 in 2024.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The proposed legislation formally defines “artificial intelligence” and sets out the government’s policy approach toward its development and application. It includes requirements for labeling AI-generated content and bans uses of AI that could undermine human dignity, personal freedoms, health, or individual rights.
If adopted into law, the bill would mark a significant step toward establishing ethical and legal norms for AI deployment in Uzbekistan, amid growing global concern over the unchecked use of emerging technologies.
