According to Sherali Kabir, the Minister of Industry and Innovation of Tajikistan, the country plans to become one of the world leaders in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and microchip technologies. “The Fifth Industrial Revolution will begin right here in Tajikistan. Our country possesses not only natural resources but also a strategic vision for the development of artificial intelligence,” he stated in a recent interview with journalists.
The minister justified this forecast by citing Tajikistan’s abundance of elements, rare earth metals, and minerals necessary for the IT industry. He also noted that leading international companies such as Nvidia and OpenAI have expressed interest in collaborating with the country.
However, experts are skeptical about the alignment of such statements with reality. Tajikistan currently lacks a developed IT infrastructure and is not among the countries with significant experience in innovative development.
According to the World Intellectual Property Indicators 2024 report published by the World Intellectual Property Organization, not a single patent application was filed in Tajikistan in 2023.
The country’s education system also faces serious challenges. According to the latest report prepared by the World Bank, “many enterprises in Tajikistan struggle to meet local and regional market demands due to a shortage of qualified personnel. This is primarily attributed to outdated university curricula, the qualification level of professors and teachers, and equipment and technologies that fail to meet modern standards,” the analysis states.
Another World Bank study reveals that only 55% of second-grade students and 41% of fourth-grade students in Tajikistan meet minimum reading standards.
This information raises numerous questions regarding the country’s prospects for technological advancement and its ambition to become a global leader in the field of artificial intelligence.
Prepared by Zukhrakhon Mansurova
