Eurasia / Tech
,_and_his_Kazakh_counterpart,_Akhylbek_Kurishbayev_260826_1787771315.jpg)
US effort to pressure Central Asian states on AI development falling flat
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan pushing back.
Kazakhstan to enrol first students at AI university as schools expand AI education
The Qazaq AI Research University in Astana aims to train engineers capable of developing AI systems.
Washington may force Kazakhstan to choose between competing US, China AI alliances
Asked about leaked draft letter, Trump official says partners “can’t have it both ways”.
Russia's ruble stablecoin has turned over $140bn since launch, its sponsor bank says
A ruble-backed stablecoin built by a sanctioned Russian defence bank has handled nearly $140bn of turnover since it was created 18 months ago.
Ukraine adds a cyberattack to its drone campaign against Russia's Wildberries
Ukraine has spent a month setting fire to Wildberries warehouses. Last week it went after the checkout instead.
Kazakhstan may face sanctions risks from drone-hit Wildberries expansion, say observers
Chances Ukraine would attack logistics of ecommerce giant moved to Russia's neighbour seen as "zero", but dual-use items in stock would be a worry.
_0_0_1785407443.png)
Digital Silk Road: Chinese and Kazakhstan-based tech companies ink multibillion-dollar agreements
Freedom Holding Corp says it is gaining access to tech from leading Chinese businesses while building infrastructure to adapt and scale it across Central Asia.
Armenia's $500mn AI data centre moves closer to completion
Armenia is preparing to launch a major artificial intelligence data centre in the city of Hrazdan, with the first phase of the project involving $500mn in investment.
Uzbekistan's Uzum wins place in CNBC-Statista's ranking of world's top fintech companies
Recognised as next-generation provider delivering banking and banking-like services primarily through digital channels without relying on traditional bank branches.
Xi positions China to challenge US grip on global AI rules
President Xi Jinping used the opening of China's flagship AI summit on July 17 to portray Beijing as an alternative rule-setter for artificial intelligence, unveiling a new intergovernmental body and a package of aid for developing nations.
Azerbaijan's parliament approves sweeping tax breaks for tech and crowdfunding sector
Baku aims to diversify its hydrocarbon-dependent economy by building a domestic technology and startup sector, following earlier moves to create technology parks and free economic zones.
Thales wins contract to modernise Mongolia’s air traffic management infrastructure
Robust cybersecurity capabilities and comprehensive skills transfer two aspects of deal.
Kazakhstan signs AI transport cooperation agreement with UAE's Presight
Proposed platform to use improve road safety, protect infrastructure and strengthen the resilience of Kazakhstan's transport system.
Kazakhstan aims to create Central Asia's crypto capital
Kazakhstan’s planned Alatau City aims to become Central Asia's crypto capital, with major partners onboard and $6bn in investment secured.
Azerbaijan moves to ban under-16s from social media
Official tells parliament companies should "not have the right to exploit the psychology of our children" in Azerbaijan.
AzerTelecom and Telecom Armenia sign internet transit deal
Agreement adds a new connectivity route for Armenia, as Baku and Yerevan continue to implement post-conflict normalisation.
TIIF 2026: Uzbekistan bets on fintech ecosystems to drive next phase of digital growth
Uzbekistan's fintech sector is entering a new stage of development. Companies are seeking to build integrated digital ecosystems that combine banking, payments, lending and ecommerce.
TIIF 2026: Enterprise Uzbekistan employs English common law to attract global tech firms
Ambitious new legal jurisdiction is aimed at attracting international technology companies by utilising legal certainty and regulatory flexibility rather than tax incentives.
TIIF 2026: Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries ramps up Central Asian operations
Russia’s largest e-commerce operator Wildberries became the largest retailer of any sort when it overtook MasterSport in 2019 and took Russia into a new age of e-commerce. Now it is expanding into Uzbekistan's fast-growing economy.
Kazakh president’s pet project gets boost from China
China-Central Asia Monitor: June 5-11, 2026.