The $5 Billion AI Export Plan Gaining Traction in Central Asia
Poinews.com – Central Asia is witnessing a growing push to transform artificial intelligence into a key economic driver. Uzbekistan, in particular, has set a goal of reaching $5 billion in IT and AI service exports by 2030, aiming to shift the focus from digital policy to tangible economic growth. The country’s IT export figures have surged significantly, increasing from less than $1 million in 2017 to nearly $1 billion today, as noted by Sherzod Shermatov, the Minister of Digital Technologies.
Building Infrastructure for Global Markets
At the Tashkent International Investment Forum, officials, investors, and AI experts emphasized the need for skills, investment, and the integration of AI into various sectors. The demand for computing power and digital services is rising, driven by businesses and public services seeking to leverage AI tools. Uzbekistan’s youthful and tech-savvy population, with 9.6 million individuals aged 14 to 30 at the start of 2025 and 89% internet penetration by the end of the year, offers a strong foundation for digital training.
“With AI, you need compute. For compute, you need energy,” said Sherzod Shermatov, linking the expansion of data centers to the country’s energy strategy. He added that Uzbekistan aims to move beyond exporting electricity as a raw resource and instead sell it through AI-driven data center services.
According to the National Statistics Committee, IT Park participants generated $191.8 million in service exports during the first quarter of 2026. This marks a step toward moving from outsourcing to higher-value digital services. Shermatov highlighted the importance of attracting firms that require skilled teams, emphasizing the need for multilingual professionals capable of supporting international clients.
Skills Development and Sector Expansion
The “5 Million AI Leaders” initiative, launched by Uzbekistan, seeks to enhance AI literacy across schools, universities, and public institutions. Over one million participants have completed the program, with the objective of preparing workers from diverse fields to apply AI in their roles. Vladimir Norov, Chairman of the Central Asian Association for AI, stressed that the region should prioritize both technical expertise and foundational understanding of AI tools.
Experts like Benedict Macon-Cooney of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change argue that AI success hinges on combining talent, capital, and infrastructure. While data centers are vital for AI development, they are just one component. Macon-Cooney noted that the challenge lies in turning policy into action, with early benefits likely emerging in routine public administration tasks such as compliance checks and fraud detection.
“This is always the challenge of government,” Macon-Cooney remarked. “It is about translating actual pieces of paper into delivery and action.”
Investors in AI data centers can benefit from incentives like discounted electricity rates, tax exemptions, and access to the IT Park’s residency programs. As Rajit Nanda, CEO of DataVolt, pointed out, the explosive adoption of AI by companies, governments, and platforms is fueling infrastructure demand. However, he stressed that no single factor—whether capital, energy, or talent—can guarantee AI’s success without synergy.
