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AI readiness study of five countries presented at Columbia University
The Next AI Frontier covers Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan. Uzbekistan ranks first in the region by number of AI publications, IT Park Uzbekistan said.
Tokhum AI · 1 min read · reviewed by Leyla
Key facts
- The Next AI Frontier covers Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan.
- Shamil Ibragimov of the MIT Kuo Sharper Center presented it at Columbia University.
- AI research output in the five countries grew more than 27 times between 2021 and 2025.
- Uzbekistan ranks first in the region by number of AI publications.
- 79% of surveyed Uzbek startups work in AI, IT Park Uzbekistan said.
A study of AI readiness in five countries was presented at Columbia University in New York, IT Park Uzbekistan said in a Telegram post on 3 November 2026. The study is titled The Next AI Frontier.
Shamil Ibragimov, director of research at the MIT Kuo Sharper Center, presented the findings. IT Park Uzbekistan supported the study, which covers Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan.
AI-related research output across the five countries grew more than 27 times between 2021 and 2025, according to the post. Uzbekistan ranks first in the region by number of AI publications.
The national supercomputer in Tashkent has entered the TOP500 list, according to the post. Of the region's 4.7 million Coursera learners, 3.4 million are in Uzbekistan.
Among the Uzbek startups surveyed for the study, 79% work in AI, IT Park Uzbekistan said.
IT Park Uzbekistan presented early results at ICT Week Uzbekistan 2026 in September. The findings are now being discussed in academic circles in the United States, according to the post.
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