The Prime Minister noted that, in 2024, under the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan approved its AI development strategy through 2030.

The strategy outlines the following key goals:

- Expanding software development and AI-based services to $1.5 billion;

- Establishing 10 scientific laboratories specializing in AI research;

- Building modern high-performance server infrastructure for big data processing and AI model training;

-Securing a place for Uzbekistan in the top 50 of the Government AI Readiness Index.

To meet these targets, a range of priority tasks has been set. One of them is building human resources and training specialists in AI. Notably, Uzbekistan and the UAE have reached an agreement to launch a program to train 1 million AI developers.

The second area of focus is accelerating the adoption of AI technologies in key economic sectors. Over 20 projects have already been implemented, including PalmPay for palm-based payments in the metro, digital identification through MyID and FaceID in mobile apps, AI assistants for the State Tax Committee and the State Agency for Public Services, and the launch of the legal platform LexAI.

The Prime Minister pointed out that, as a result, in 2024 Uzbekistan improved its position in the Government AI Readiness Index, rising from 87th to 70th place.

The third focus area is the development of IT infrastructure to support AI technologies. Uzbekistan is enhancing international partnerships to establish AI regulation standards, train personnel, and build infrastructure.

Starting in 2025, Uzbekistan will roll out a new system to support innovative projects aimed at AI development. Startup support programs will be promoted through joint acceleration and venture capital investment initiatives.

Despite the "unprecedented" opportunities these developments present, Abdulla Aripov also highlighted the "serious challenges" posed by AI. These include legal protection, the regulation of ethical AI principles, and ensuring transparency in data collection and processing — issues that require "close attention and coordinated action to ensure safety," he emphasized.

"Many countries around the world have already adopted ethical principles for AI. Uzbekistan plans to integrate similar standards this year," the Prime Minister added.

In addition, the Prime Minister invited partners to participate in an international conference on AI development in CIS countries, which will take place on August 7-8, 2025, in Samarkand.