President Shavkat Mirziyoyev officially launched the landmark «Five Million AI Leaders» initiative today at the opening ceremony of the International Artificial Intelligence Forum held at Tashkent’s International Congress Centre.
In his keynote address, the President outlined Uzbekistan’s strategic vision: «We aim to transform our country from a consumer of cutting-edge technologies into a nation that actively develops and exports them.»
A cornerstone of the programme is the new annual Presidential AI Competition. Starting in 2026, authorities will identify 100 of the country’s most promising young AI specialists, beginning with grassroots selection in the remotest districts and culminating at the national level.
Winners will secure fully funded internships at leading technology companies in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Europe. In the second phase, the same merit-based model will roll out across higher-education institutions nationwide.
The government has allocated $100 mln to implement the initiative, marking one of the most ambitious investments in domestic AI talent development in Central Asia.
