AI infrastructure push draws $6bn in data-centre commitments

Uzbekistan accelerates investment in AI-ready data centres

Poinews.com – Uzbekistan is seeking to establish itself as a regional base for artificial intelligence by expanding the data-centre capacity needed to run advanced computing systems domestically. Investment commitments for projects across the country have now surpassed $6bn (€5.3bn), with government and private-sector developments moving ahead in parallel.

The programme reflects a broader effort to ensure that Uzbek institutions, companies and researchers can access computing resources without depending primarily on infrastructure located overseas. AI applications commonly require large clusters of graphics processing units, or GPUs, which can process the enormous volumes of data involved in training and operating modern systems.

Part of that capacity is already online. This summer, the government introduced a computing cluster built with Nvidia technology for public-sector AI work. The Ministry of Digital Technologies says the cluster reached 90% utilisation during its first month, highlighting strong demand for high-performance computing.

“We have the government data centre, which is serving the government needs, and we have installed our Nvidia chips for government needs. And we are in the process of procuring the next stage.”

The comments from Digital Technologies Minister Sherzod Shermatov point to plans for further expansion as demand grows. Government infrastructure is intended to support public needs, while commercial developments are expected to provide capacity for a wider range of technology and business users.

Commercial projects take shape

One of the most prominent commercial developments is a 12-megawatt facility being built in Tashkent by Saudi-based DataVolt. Designed for AI workloads and other computationally demanding services, its first phase is scheduled to begin operating before the end of 2026.

The project has secured financing of up to $150mn (€131.4mn) from an international group that includes the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Germany’s DEG, France’s Proparco and the OPEC Fund for International Development.

“These 12MW will be ready by the end of this year.”

Shermatov said the Tashkent site is planned to grow substantially beyond its first stage. Its eventual capacity could reach 300 megawatts, with later expansion extending to other parts of Uzbekistan.

Further west, Shanghai LinkWise Data Intelligence is developing another major data-centre project in Karakalpakstan. Together, the planned facilities illustrate the scale of the country’s ambitions to create infrastructure that can support AI development, cloud services and other data-intensive activity.

More than infrastructure

Data centres are only one element of Uzbekistan’s national AI strategy. The government says more than 100 artificial-intelligence projects are under development, including tools intended to make public services faster and easier to use.

One platform allows users to request government information, including tax records, through a conversational interface. Another is being developed to help public-sector staff examine documents, produce summaries and draft replies. Such systems could reduce routine administrative work if they are used effectively and responsibly.

AI activity is also extending into industry. The ministry is working with the Navoi and Almalik metallurgical companies on drone and robotic technologies that can scan mining areas. These projects bring AI into operational settings where automated image analysis, remote monitoring and robotics may assist with complex field work.

“We are working with the Navoi and Almalik metallurgical companies. Together with them, we are developing the drone technology and robotic technologies in the mining field.”

Universities are expected to play a larger role as well. The ministry plans to establish more than 20 AI laboratories at higher-education institutions by the end of the year. Expanding research and training facilities is important because data centres alone do not create the engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs required to build useful AI products.

Supporting Uzbek-language AI

Another priority is improving AI systems’ ability to work in Uzbek. Languages with less representation in widely used global datasets can be poorly handled by large language models, affecting the quality of searches, summaries, translations and conversational tools.

To address that issue, the government is developing an Uzbek-language corpus: a structured and extensive collection of text that developers can use to improve how AI models understand and produce Uzbek. Better language resources could make local digital services more practical for citizens and give developers a stronger basis for creating products designed for the domestic market.

Access and affordability remain central questions

Rapid construction does not automatically guarantee that startups and smaller companies will be able to use the new computing power. High-performance AI infrastructure can be costly, and many early-stage businesses lack the capital to purchase or operate their own specialised hardware.

Shamil Ibragimov, Director of Research at the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, described progress in infrastructure, skills development and AI adoption by private firms as significant. Yet he also noted that computing resources remain expensive for many Uzbek startups, leaving some dependent on international cloud providers.

That gap between available infrastructure and affordable access will help determine how broadly the country’s AI push benefits its technology ecosystem. Local capacity could support more experimentation and reduce dependence on foreign platforms, but its impact will depend on whether smaller teams can obtain the processing power they need.

Richard Stirling, CEO of Oxford Insights, identified startup growth as an important measure of AI development beyond policy documents and government plans. He said that evaluating genuine capacity requires looking at practical activity by businesses as well as strategies and regulations. With 180 startups already using AI, Uzbekistan’s expanding infrastructure is being built alongside a growing base of potential users.