Regional governors to have advisors on artificial intelligence

A new position of advisors on digitalization and artificial intelligence will be introduced for governors in cities and districts across Uzbekistan. The decision was announced today, October 21, during a video conference chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the development of artificial intelligence technologies.

From now on, deputy ministers and sector heads responsible for digitalization will also oversee the development of artificial intelligence in their respective fields. Similarly, each city and district governor will have an advisor on digitalization and artificial intelligence.

All ministries and local administrations have been instructed to establish separate departments dedicated to the development of artificial intelligence. These departments will be tasked with finding AI-based solutions to improve work efficiency and service quality, as well as to reduce excessive expenses, the shadow economy, and bureaucracy.

One hundred specialists with high performance, foreign language proficiency, and strong technological knowledge will be sent to six-month training courses in countries such as the US, Europe, Singapore, and Japan.

Starting next year, a rating system will be introduced to assess the level of artificial intelligence implementation across ministries and regions.

Uzbekistan has adopted a special resolution on the development of artificial intelligence, establishing the legal framework for the sector. Within a short period, more than 30 pilot projects have been launched in areas such as public services, banking and finance, public safety, and transportation.

Last year, the Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence until 2030 was approved. A special center dedicated to AI was established under the Ministry of Digital Technologies. Within one year, Uzbekistan rose 17 positions in the Global AI Readiness Index, ranking 70th worldwide and first in Central Asia.

It is worth noting that on October 20, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a resolution ’’On additional measures for the further development of the state language,’’ which also introduced the position of advisors to governors on spirituality and the state language.