The head of state visited the artificial intelligence laboratory of Namangan State Technical University. Conditions have been created there for practical training of students and the application of AI technologies in real projects. The laboratory includes analysis, robotics and bionics centers, a startup accelerator, 9 smart classrooms, and 2 training rooms for working with AI. The center will handle projects in the fields of artificial intelligence, robotics, smart transport, ecology, and agricultural technologies. The president was also presented with startup projects of AI advisors from regional, city, and district khokimiyats; he spoke with young people and listened to their ideas.
Then Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the foundation stone laying ceremony for the IT park. The head of state noted that digitalization of regions, development of AI, and creation of high-income jobs are among the key directions of reforms. According to expert estimates, Uzbekistan's potential in the field of artificial intelligence is $10 billion.
The IT park is being built as part of a $117 million project with Chinese partners, under which facilities will appear in six regions — New Namangan, Samarkand, Chirchik, Nurafshan, Urgench, and Navoi. The Namangan one will be the first. On a 1.7-hectare site, a 17-story building with an area of about 18,000 square meters will be constructed and handed over on a turnkey basis. It will house educational and export centers, coworking spaces, offices, and a startup accelerator, with dozens of companies operating as a single IT ecosystem. About 2,000 jobs will be created for the youth of Namangan, the annual volume of IT services will grow to 500 billion soums, and exports to $30 million.
Overall, since the beginning of the year, $2 billion in foreign investments have been attracted to Namangan region. Together with partners from China, Turkey, India, and Russia, 20 new facilities worth $1.8 billion are being commissioned, and another 28 projects worth $4 billion are starting in industry, tourism, and construction. The president thanked foreign partners and launched new projects in the region.