Uzbekistan Accelerates National AI Language Model and Green Data Center Projects with Global Partnerships

Uzbekistan Advances with National AI Language Model and Green Data Centers

At the recent Tashkent International Investment Forum, Oleg Pekos, First Deputy Minister of Digital Technologies, shared key updates on Uzbekistan's push into artificial intelligence and sustainable data infrastructure.

Green Data Centers: A New Infrastructure Hub

Saudi-based DataVolt announced plans to build 20 data centers in Uzbekistan, with a combined capacity of 520 MW and an investment of $6.5 billion by 2030. Uzbekistan is positioned as a central hub for the company's operations in Central Asia.

The project is already underway with the first phase at the IT Park in Tashkent. The second phase will be located in Bukhara. Importantly, all data centers will run on green energy and aim to secure international green certification. This is a crucial factor for hyperscalers focused on reducing environmental impact.

Developing a National AI Language Model

Uzbekistan is actively working on its own large language model (LLM). The process began with collecting a comprehensive text corpus to train the AI system. Key fintech players like TBC Bank and Uzum have joined the initiative, highlighting cross-industry collaboration.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the importance of this model in making Uzbekistan's historical and cultural values more accessible. The goal is to develop an open-source language model that can be integrated into existing AI applications.

Ethics and Infrastructure Challenges

• A national AI ethics code is expected to be adopted this year, with a draft already published.
• The process of importing GPU clusters faces delays due to licensing requirements.
• Despite this, a small test cluster—referred to as a “sandbox” for AI projects—is set to arrive soon.
• A full-scale GPU cluster based on NVIDIA’s latest Blackwell (B200) processors is planned for deployment by year-end.

These developments position Uzbekistan as a notable player in AI innovation and sustainable data infrastructure within Central Asia.

For IT professionals interested in AI development and infrastructure, exploring open-source language models and sustainable data center practices can provide practical insights. To deepen your expertise, consider checking out relevant AI courses that cover large language models and data infrastructure.