We had the privilege of meeting with Anvarkhodja Kadyrov, Director of the Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (AIRI.UZ) in Tashkent. This historic institution, which traces its roots back to the 1960s Institute of Cybernetics, has been reinvigorated through a 2021 presidential decree to spearhead AI development in Uzbekistan.
The institute’s impressive trajectory includes:
- A growing research team of 27 core staff, expanding to 60 by 2024
- 16+ doctoral researchers and 44 active researchers
- 30+ scientific publications from research fellows
- 15 innovative projects across various fields in 2021
Our discussions focused on potential synergies between AIRI.UZ’s research initiatives and our AI education programs. The institute’s expertise in computer vision, speech processing, and machine learning aligns perfectly with our curriculum development goals for the AI Center at Tashkent International University.
Key collaboration areas identified during our meeting include:
- Research exchange opportunities
- Joint supervision of student projects
- Access to specialized facilities and computing resources
- Curriculum development support
The institute’s involvement in projects ranging from national herbarium recognition to cardiology applications demonstrates its commitment to practical AI solutions that benefit society. This aligns with our vision for AI education that combines theoretical knowledge with real-world applications.
We look forward to working closely with AIRI.UZ to advance AI research and education in Uzbekistan, contributing to the country’s digital transformation journey.