AI in Kyrgyzstan: How the “Switzerland of Central Asia” Is Seeking Its Place in the Global Tech World

Column “Steppe Ahead”

Author: Thorsten Gutmann

Just a few years ago, hardly anyone would have associated Kyrgyzstan with future technologies like artificial intelligence or startups. But this small landlocked country in the heart of Central Asia is beginning to position itself in a global competition that demands one thing above all else: speed, talent—and international networking.

Early Momentum, Big Ambitions

The Kyrgyz tech scene is young. In 2024, seven Kyrgyz startups were accepted into global accelerator programs for the first time—from Google for Startups to Antler Vietnam. A significant step for a country whose digital startup scene, until recently, resembled a desert more than an ecosystem.

Particular focus is on returnees like Tilek Mamutov, who not only recruits global tech talent through Outtalent but has also relocated his company from Silicon Valley to Bishkek, the capital. Or Behavox, founded by Erkin Adylov, which is now one of the leading AI solution providers for financial services firms—though it is (still) headquartered abroad.

Investments: Still a Long Way to Go

Despite promising individual cases, Kyrgyzstan still lags behind in a regional comparison. While neighboring countries such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan raised tens of millions in venture capital in 2024, Kyrgyzstan raised a mere $1.7 million—which is more than in 2023, but far from the global standard.

The reasons are obvious: insufficient computing power, lack of data availability, and high infrastructure costs. In its latest country report, the World Bank criticizes the lack of open data, an unstable power supply, and high barriers to entry for developers.

Language as the Key to the Digital Future

And yet: the will to innovate is there. With support from the EBRD, the startup Ulut Soft developed the first Kyrgyz-language AI language model. A cultural and technological milestone that shows AI can find a place even in small languages—if the conditions are right.

The government is following suit

Politically, too, the issue is gaining momentum: The Kyrgyz government is working with the World Bank on a national AI strategy. Plans include a national AI center, targeted support for AI startups, improved data accessibility, and partnerships with international universities and companies.

The goal: to build a digital ecosystem based on the ASPIRE model—with a focus on Ambition, Skills, Policy, Investment, Research, and Ecosystem. Almost everything is still missing—but the direction is right.

Reality versus Vision

A World Bank report poetically describes the current situation: “AI reshaped the world, but in the Kyrgyz Republic, even getting started felt like hacking through a jungle with a pocketknife.” The sentence comes from a literary response by ChatGPT to the question of what it’s like to start an AI startup in Kyrgyzstan. Power outages, lack of funding, isolated developers—but also courage, creativity, and hope.

Conclusion: The potential is there

Kyrgyzstan is just getting started. But the country is beginning to think strategically, pool initiatives, and network internationally. It’s still a race to catch up. Yet anyone looking closely today can see that something new is emerging in the region between Bishkek, Dubai, and Silicon Valley. And Kyrgyzstan wants to be part of it.

Sources:

Times of Central Asia (2025): Are Innovative Industries One of the Kyrgyz Republic’s Few Opportunities to Prosper?

EBRD (2025): Kyrgyz AI start-up builds first language model to preserve local language

World Bank Blog (2025): Artificial Intelligence in the Kyrgyz Republic – A Silent Transformation in the Making?