Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport and the Center for Digital Transport have launched the country’s first National Transport Hackathon, with Yandex Uzbekistan joining as a partner.
Over three days, participants will develop digital services and artificial intelligence solutions for the transportation sector. Teams will present projects on improving public mobility across aviation, rail and road transport, integrating AI into the ministry’s information systems, and analyzing large volumes of data.
Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov said at the opening ceremony that digitalizing transport remains a key reform priority, and that the skills and initiative of young people play an important role in developing the sector. He added that the ministry plans to make the National Transport Hackathon a regular event.
First Deputy Minister of Transport Mamanbiy Omarov said the ministry is currently executing more than 40 digital projects. About 5 million people use the ministry’s information systems each month, and all 22 public services have been digitized. He said expanding AI integration is the next phase, with the hackathon designed to generate practical solutions.
Sardor Kadyrov, Vice President for Strategic Development at Yandex Uzbekistan, noted that transport systems increasingly rely on data, algorithms and AI. He said Yandex uses machine learning, mapping technology and big data analysis daily to develop urban mobility services, and aims to share this expertise with young specialists in Uzbekistan.
Throughout the hackathon, experts in transport, artificial intelligence, data analytics and digital products will work alongside participants to build prototypes and digital services.
