Eurasia / Tech
Tajikistan launches national messenger app ORIZ in “important step towards digital independence”
Country follows in footsteps of Russia and Kazakhstan.
Kazakh farmers put Starlink on horses and dogs to herd livestock
High-tech twist on nomadic tradition as farmers use artificial intelligence, drones and Starlink satellite internet to monitor and herd their animals on the steppe.
California’s Joby to sell eVTOL aircraft to create pioneering ‘air taxi’ service in Kazakh ‘smart city’
Kazakhstan’s government wants Alatau City to develop and showcase “technologies of the future”.
Kyrgyzstan’s president addresses son’s involvement in creating digital bank with Binance founder ‘CZ’
Crypto kingpin Changpeng Zhao, two weeks ago pardoned by Donald Trump over money laundering, is adviser to country’s leader Japarov.
Is Kazakhstan building a digital utopia, or a China-style surveillance state?
Many Kazakhs will tell you that officials should limit their ambitions to fixing the internet speed. Others worry that the time for joking is over.
Kia inaugurates $310mn "highly automated" automotive plant in Kazakhstan
Featuring 68 industrial robots, the plant is designed to produce up to 70,000 vehicles annually.
Uzbekistan’s unicorn ecommerce startup Uzum adds London to list of potential IPO locations
Co-founder says he's against a fast geographical expansion. Wants to win and dominate home market to demonstrate to partners fintech is capable of outperforming on other markets.
Entrepreneur set for Blue Origin lift-off to become first Kazakh woman in space
Kazakhstan, meanwhile, initiates first all-women crew isolation experiment simulating space flight.
Kazakhstan appoints AI board member to sovereign wealth fund, awards voting rights
Country aims to be fully digital state by 2028. Ministry of Artificial Intelligence was opened in August.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan deemed twin hotbeds of innovation – global survey
The two states drive Central and South Asia’s rise in a global ranking.
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Photoshopping of three Central Asian presidents exposed by media investigation
Seemingly perfect postures, pearly white smiles, smooth skin and luxurious grey hair among flawless features subject to spot-the-difference analysis.
Internet shutdown pushes Afghanistan’s banking to the brink
Reports from northern Afghanistan indicated severe difficulties in processing financial transactions after WiFi services were suspended in a number of provinces, including Balkh. In Mazar-i-Sharif, banking operations were reportedly brought to a halt
Migrants in Moscow spooked by government order to download geolocation app by Sept 1
“Amina” surveillance will inform interior ministry of guest workers’ exact whereabouts.
London-listed TBC Bank expands digital ecosystem with OLX Uzbekistan acquisition
OLX Uzbekistan is the sixth-most visited website in Uzbekistan with with 5.4mn monthly active users and 2.2mn active listings.