Uzbekistan targets 300,000 IT jobs for youth with new $200 million computing complex

The ambitious project in Nurafshon will span 7.3 hectares and feature six advanced laboratories, a startup campus, and a commercialization center. Most notably, the facility will house a massive computing hub equipped with 200 high-performance GPUs specifically for AI development. With a total investment value of $200 million, the implementation of this landmark center is scheduled for the period between 2027 and 2031.

The meeting also focused on broad institutional support for the domestic IT ecosystem. Currently, the number of startups in Uzbekistan has grown to 950 – a 37.5% increase compared to last year – while the number of venture capital funds has reached 22. The overall value of the startup ecosystem is now estimated at $4.3 billion, having attracted $132 million in investments. To further stimulate this growth, the prize fund for the Presidential IT Startup Competition has been increased to $5 million, with an additional $1 million dedicated specifically to new AI-focused contests.

In a move to drive innovation across critical industries, a new "President AI Award" was proposed. The competition will focus on five strategic areas: public administration, industry and entrepreneurship, healthcare, education, and the green economy and agrotechnologies. These initiatives are part of a larger state goal to ensure employment for 300,000 young people in the IT sector by 2030.

To support this nationwide digital transition, the president reviewed plans to expand regional digital infrastructure. This includes the establishment of new IT Park branches in Samarkand, Namangan, Syrdarya, and Bukhara. By decentralizing the digital economy, authorities aim to increase the volume of export-oriented services and create high-quality jobs for youth across the republic.