Central Asian Leaders Outline Regional AI and Technology Goals with South Korea

Leaders from Central Asian nations and the Republic of Korea convened in Seoul for the inaugural Central Asia-Republic of Korea Summit, advancing a series of cooperative frameworks spanning artificial intelligence talent development, critical minerals processing, and industrial modernization.

During the high-level talks, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed the creation of a regional AI Talent program aimed at preparing specialized artificial intelligence professionals across Central Asia. The initiative builds upon domestic digital investments in Kazakhstan, including the establishment of the Alem.ai International Center for Artificial Intelligence in Astana, regional supercomputing deployments, and institutional partnerships involving SeoulTech, Woosong University, and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.

President Tokayev outlined several binational technological projects designed to anchor regional digital transformation. These include the AI SilkNet predictive analytics and foresight center, which commenced operations this year in cooperation with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information. Tokayev proposed uniting academic institutions, research facilities, and commercial technology firms under the AI SilkNet umbrella.

Further institutional expansion features a planned branch of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in Alatau City, alongside specialized artificial intelligence institutes in Kyzylorda and Turkistan. Kazakh officials indicated that these cooperative educational frameworks are intended to establish an integrated technological zone capable of accelerating scientific progress and economic expansion across the region.

At the same summit, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev introduced a comprehensive five-point strategy to deepen multilateral cooperation, emphasizing the rapid transformation of labor markets driven by artificial intelligence. Mirziyoyev advocated for a long-term partnership vision titled Central Asia and Republic of Korea: Partnership for Accelerated Development, alongside enhanced digital security frameworks for cyber threat detection.

Addressing demographic factors where individuals under the age of thirty comprise over half of Central Asia's population, Mirziyoyev proposed establishing a long-term Partnership for Human Capital Development governed by structured training and employment pipelines. The Uzbek leader also suggested integrating President Lee Jae Myung's Indispensable Korea doctrine as a core pillar supporting regional artificial intelligence advancement.

Beyond digital governance and artificial intelligence, the summit addressed trade expansion, energy security, and industrial capacity. Leaders targeted a bilateral trade volume of $20 billion by 2030, supported by a proposed ministerial platform and a Central Asia-Korea Industrial and Technological Park planned for Uzbekistan.

President Tokayev noted that while Kazakhstan operates on significant coal reserves accounting for over sixty percent of domestic electricity production, the nation is actively pursuing clean energy transitions. These include hydrogen energy pilot ventures and modernization partnerships involving Korean firms such as Doosan, KEPCO E&C, and Midland Power to introduce advanced emissions management technologies. Uzbekistan similarly urged the creation of a Regional Investment Alliance for Critical Minerals to oversee comprehensive supply chain processing from geological exploration to high value-added manufacturing.