Central Asia is lagging behind in the use of AI

A report by the technology company Microsoft shows that most Central Asian countries rank among the lowest globally when it comes to the use of generative artificial intelligence in everyday life. The findings highlight the challenges facing governments that are simultaneously pursuing ambitious plans to build digital and knowledge-based economies.

Kazakhstan performed best within Central Asia. In Microsoft’s global report on AI adoption, the country ranked 70th out of 147 countries surveyed. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had declared 2026 the Year of Artificial Intelligence.

The other Central Asian countries lagged significantly behind. Kyrgyzstan ranked 116th, Uzbekistan 142nd, Afghanistan 144th, Tajikistan 145th, and Turkmenistan 146th.

Similar to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan have also announced programs to establish IT and AI centers. However, usage data to date shows that there is still a significant gap between political goals and practical adoption.

Growth from a low base

On a positive note, according to Microsoft, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan are among the Asian countries with the highest growth rates in AI adoption. This suggests that while the technology is not yet widely established, it is gaining increasing importance.

In the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan and Georgia performed better than Kazakhstan. Azerbaijan ranked 62nd, and Georgia 54th. Armenia, which also plans to expand its IT and AI capabilities, ranked only 139th.

Infrastructure remains crucial

Overall, the Microsoft report reveals a significant global divide. In economically developed countries of the Global North, AI is spreading about twice as fast as in emerging economies of the Global South.

“This gap reflects the systemic challenges of the Global South, where limited access to electricity, the internet, and digital skills continues to hinder the adoption of new technologies,” the report states.

As long as these fundamental deficits remain unaddressed, the benefits of generative AI will remain unevenly distributed. For Central Asia, this means that establishing AI centers alone is not enough. Digital infrastructure, education, electricity supply, and access to modern technologies are crucial.