According to The National Interest, Central Asia is turning into an arena of global competition between the US and China regarding critically important minerals needed for the production of artificial intelligence technologies, semiconductors, batteries, and defense products.
The European Union has announced a large-scale international tender for the construction of an 'Artificial Intelligence Gigafactory'—seven new data centers worth 30 billion euros.
It is emphasized that the implementation of this initiative will significantly reduce the excessive dependence of the European community on American aviation systems and Chinese foreign digital technologies.
The financial structure of the project provides for attracting funds from three main sources. Five billion euros are allocated directly from the European budget, five billion euros are provided by EU member states as co-financing, and the remaining 20 billion euros are planned to be attracted through a consortium of private investors.
According to the approved schedule, the laying of the foundation for construction is scheduled for early 2027, and the launch of the first capacity and the start of operations of the computing platforms are planned for 2028.
Currently, more than ten countries are preparing applications to host the supercomputing center on their territory.
An online meeting was held within the ANORA platform dedicated to strengthening international partnership. The event took place with the participation of the Ministry of Agriculture, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change.
The main goal of the meeting was the practical application of the platform, as well as further strengthening interaction between government bodies, international financial institutions, donor organizations, and development partners.
During the event, N. Qoʻshnazarov, advisor to the Minister of Agriculture, and representatives of the Project Office presented a report on sustainable directions for transforming the agro-food system in Uzbekistan and the need for investments in this area. Specialists from the EBRD and the FAO Investment Centre also provided information on the key areas of development of the ANORA platform, its implementation mechanisms, and prospects for international cooperation.
Discussions covered issues such as forming a portfolio of investment projects within ANORA, attracting financial and technical assistance, ensuring food security, efficient use of water resources, and developing climate-resilient sustainable agriculture. Agreements were reached regarding the next stages of the platform's implementation, its sustainable directions, and cooperation mechanisms.
In the context of active development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, the labor market is undergoing profound changes. Today, it is strategically important for employers not only to find qualified personnel but also to invest in human capital, implement modern human resource management systems, and digital solutions.
According to data presented at the forum 'Transformation of the Labor Market of Uzbekistan: New Trends, Key Changes, and Innovative HR,' held in Tashkent, as of July 1, 2026, the labor force numbered 21 million people, and the employed population was 15 million. Furthermore, the unemployment rate decreased to 4.5%, which represents a reduction of 0.6 percentage points compared to the same period last year.
During the forum, the digital platform 'Oson ish.uz,' launched this year, was presented. Currently, more than 36 thousand employers have registered on this platform, having posted over 137 thousand vacancies. It is important to note that the platform uses artificial intelligence for the automatic matching of candidates and employers, allowing for the prompt finding of suitable candidates, thereby increasing the efficiency of the labor market and saving time and resources.
The 'Skill Up' initiative, oriented for the period from 2026 to 2031, was also presented. This project, valued at 3.7 million Swiss francs, provides for the assessment of citizens' abilities and competencies based on artificial intelligence, after which they are directed to professions in demand in the labor market. This system plays a key role in training the unemployed population and forming a talent reserve that meets market needs.
Forum participants discussed the topic 'Artificial Intelligence and the Labor Market: Competitor or Partner?'. Experts emphasized that AI is not intended to completely replace human labor, but rather to increase labor productivity, accelerate decision-making processes, and expand the capabilities of human capital.
Additionally, the electronic platform 'Explanations to the Labor Code,' developed with the participation of international and local experts, was presented. This resource allows for the simple and clear explanation of labor law norms, helping to apply them correctly in practice and quickly learn about legislative changes.
During the event, the 'Together with Youth' program, involving the Central Bank and commercial banks, was presented. This program aims to attract young people to the banking and financial sector, develop their professional potential, and expand their career prospects.
Moreover, within the framework of the forum, a job fair was organized with the participation of about 30 commercial banks. Over a hundred vacancies were offered by 40 large employers. Participants were able to familiarize themselves with employment conditions, professional growth opportunities, and financial support programs for entrepreneurship.
