Artificial intelligence has become firmly embedded in everyday life. Yet sceptics remain unconvinced, constantly finding new arguments against AI. In practice, however, it is often possible to strike a compromise: adopting modern tools while addressing concerns that, it must be admitted, are in many cases far from unfounded.
Using Central Asia as a case in point, Ulugbek Mirzamukhamedov, international investor and co-founder of the Semurg ecosystem—spanning insurance, venture capital, and a portfolio of ESG initiatives—explains how countries and peoples can avoid losing themselves in the race for progress.
Keeping Pace With the Times
In recent years, many countries have developed and implemented national strategies for artificial intelligence. Central Asia is keeping up with the global trend. In 2024, Uzbekistan approved its AI Technology Development Strategy. The “Digital Uzbekistan–2030” strategy envisions the implementation of more than 220 priority projects across a wide range of sectors.
Mirzamukhamedov says AI development in Central Asia is moving at a faster-than-average pace. He attributes this, in part, to the openness of regional elites to innovation. This approach, he argues, is less typical of developed countries and could give emerging players a competitive edge.
“I travel often—both to the West and to other regions: Central and Southeast Asia, and Arab states. In these countries and regions, AI is being adopted much faster than in the U.S. or Europe. It may sound paradoxical, but new technologies often emerge in the West, while their practical development frequently takes off elsewhere. The same is true, for example, in fintech. In 2019, I was struck during my internship at Stanford University when I couldn’t pay with Apple Pay at a Starbucks café. Even then, fintech in other countries was far more advanced than in Silicon Valley itself,” Ulugbek Mirzamukhamedov explains.
He says one reason is the Western development model, where there is often less urgency about rolling out innovations. In that context, he argues, Central Asia has significant potential to execute large-scale digital transformation programs. This, he adds, is driven first and foremost by growing public demand—especially given that more than a quarter of the population is aged 14 to 30.
“Today, young people live on their devices—online, in apps, and with AI tools. They type more than they handwrite. So the idea of a ‘world in a smartphone’ is far more natural to them than paper certificates, permits, essays, and the like. You can’t simply ignore this factor—you need to communicate with people in a format they understand,” says the entrepreneur.
At the same time, Mirzamukhamedov voices concern about the effect AI adoption may have on people’s minds.
“I try to look at this broadly. What concerns me most in the development of artificial intelligence is the social aspect. Even today, AI is pushing people out of a range of professions, and this trend will only accelerate. Uzbekistan may have a predominantly young population that can adapt to a new reality—but what about developed countries, where a significant share of the population is older?” he asks. “I believe any technology should make people’s lives easier—not take away their jobs,” he emphasizes.
How Nations Can Avoid Dissolving Into AI
The rapid development of AI technologies, especially generative models, has fuelled concerns about the future of human communication itself. Research suggests that Generation Z may be particularly exposed, as many in this cohort use AI even in interpersonal communication.
Mirzamukhamedov believes AI can be addictive—posing a threat not only to personal identity, but to national identity as well. In this sense, he says, the “health” of entire peoples is at stake. In his view, widespread reliance on AI undermines not only independent thinking, but also weakens a person’s connection to their native culture and values.
“We live in an era of mind globalization—neural networks are a vivid example. Even students now draft essays using neural networks. It’s happening everywhere. People are losing the ability to search for information; they stop analyzing data. The individual dissolves into a global AI persona, into which the creators have, of course, embedded certain values and reference points. Where will we be in 50 years? Will we lose national culture? Will we still honour our parents the way we do today?” he reflects.
Mirzamukhamedov argues for a balanced approach to digital transformation—one that takes into account the values being transmitted to users. He does not rule out reasonable AI restrictions if they are designed to preserve national culture, traditions, and values.
“Limitations, regulation, oversight—these are what make a society a society, and there’s nothing wrong with that. This is not about putting up barriers, but about a responsible approach: the state, business, and society jointly defining the key reference points for the development of the AI industry,” he explains.
The potential of AI—and the benefits it can bring to humanity—is enormous, Ulugbek Mirzamukhamedov says. But the person of the future, he insists, must not abandon their roots or national culture.
“AI has already become almost ubiquitous in Central Asia. Even today, it’s impossible to imagine business processes or daily life without it. I am in no way setting progress against tradition; I support a responsible approach to technological development. I’ll admit: it’s difficult for me to accept the ‘person of the future’ as envisioned by futuristic science fiction—a person without national culture, without memory of those who came before. I would very much like us to preserve our national and cultural identity in a rapidly changing world and not abandon it in pursuit of progress. I hope we can find such a solution,” Ulugbek Mirzamukhamedov concludes.