Uzbekistan and the United States Hold Forum in Seattle on Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence

On October 30, an international forum dedicated to cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United States in artificial intelligence (AI) was held in Seattle, Washington. The event took place as part of Seattle AI Week and was organized jointly by the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Washington State, the American-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council, IT Park Uzbekistan, and the World Digital Technology Academy (WDTA).

The forum brought together around 60 participants, including representatives of Microsoft and Meta, Harvard University, the University of Washington, Northeastern University, the Seattle city administration, investment organizations, and technology businesses.

Key topics included AI talent development, startup growth, investment attraction, and the practical implementation of technological solutions.

Nozima Davletova, Adviser to the Head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan and Head of the Secretariat of the American-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council, presented the country's key priorities in digital development. She also highlighted the Council's role in strengthening business and investment ties between Uzbekistan and the United States and supporting joint initiatives.

Ahror Burxonov, Consul General of Uzbekistan in Washington State, spoke about opportunities to develop relations with technology companies, universities, and business representatives across the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.

Russ Yapparov, Chief Growth Officer of North America at IT Park Uzbekistan, provided an overview of the development of Uzbekistan's IT ecosystem, the opportunities available to technology companies, and key areas for international cooperation. His presentation focused on initiatives to train young people in partnership with leading AI companies, develop computing infrastructure, and support Uzbek startups in entering international markets.

Yale Li, Executive Chairman of WDTA, highlighted the potential for cooperation between Uzbekistan's innovation ecosystem and those of Central Asia and the United States. He emphasized the importance of knowledge exchange, the responsible use of AI, and data protection.

Julia Lawson, Senior Adviser at Permira and former Corporate Vice President of Microsoft's Developer Division, shared her insights on the use of AI tools, the modernization of educational programs, and the practical application of technological developments.

Shannon Smith, Chief Technology Officer for the City of Seattle, presented the city's experience in using AI to improve municipal services, simplify construction-related procedures, and enhance road safety. Opportunities for knowledge exchange between Seattle and Tashkent in the field of digital city management were also discussed.

Panel discussions addressed university incubators, mentorship programs for startups, and training specialists whose skills align with business needs. Potential areas for cooperation included agricultural technology, water-saving solutions, language services, and digital tools that improve access to services for people with disabilities.

The forum concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Washington State and WDTA on cooperation in technology and artificial intelligence. The document provides for knowledge exchange, educational initiatives, and the exploration of pilot projects involving universities, companies, and government institutions. It also places particular emphasis on the responsible use of AI, cybersecurity, and data protection.