Avesta news agency says that in a report released at a press conference dedicated to the nation’s high-tech development strategy, the Minister of Industry and New Technologies, Sherali Kabir, stated in Dushanbe on February 7 that Tajikistan intends to become a key player in the global artificial intelligence (AI) industry and microchip production.
According to Sherali Kabir, Tajikistan has significant resources for microchip production, which serves as the foundation for AI development. The country possesses nearly one-third of the 33 essential metals and minerals needed for chip manufacturing, making it an attractive destination for international technology companies. The minister emphasized that Tajikistan must not miss the opportunity to become a leader in this field.
“The Fifth Industrial Revolution will begin right here, in Tajikistan. We have not only natural resources, but also a strategic vision for the development of artificial intelligence,” Sherali Kabir, told "The Fifth Industrial Revolution will begin right here in Tajikistan. We have not only natural resources but also a strategic vision for AI development," Kabir stated. He based the prediction on the fact that Tajikistan possesses lots of elements, rare earths and minerals needed by the IT industry.
He also claimed that leading entities, such as Nvidia and OpenAI, have expressed interest in doing business with Tajikistan. As an example, the minister mentioned the Chinese startup DeepSeek, which, according to him, significantly reduced AI technology costs, leading to a US$1.5 trillion drop in the stock value of major corporations in a single day.
Sherali Kabir also highlighted the environmental aspects of chip production.
"When a user asks five questions in a GPT chat, they should know that this consumes half a liter of water. All these technologies require cooling, and we have both water and the necessary resources," he explained.
"We must not miss this opportunity. AI should be integrated not only into industry but also into education," Kabir stressed.
As part of Tajikistan’s AI development strategy, work has already begun on integrating new technologies into the education system, Avesta says, noting that starting in September 2025, 10 schools across the country will introduce pilot AI courses. The head of the Tajik Academy of Artificial Intelligence, Azizjon Azimi, stated that by 2026, the program will be expanded to all schools nationwide.
Experts note that with its significant natural resources and strategic location, Tajikistan has the potential to become an important player in the global tech industry. However, the successful implementation of these plans will require foreign investment and the development of the country’s scientific infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Eurasianet reports that Kabir’s prediction seems only thinly rooted in reality, and raises questions about governmental capacity. Tajikistan has long been ranked as having one of world's most corrupt political and economic systems, and the country presently lacks an IT base. Dushanbe likewise lacks a track record for innovation.
A recent report that tracks global innovation trends, World Intellectual Property Indicators 2024, found that not a single application for a patent was filed in Tajikistan in 2023 (the last year covered by the report).
The Tajik education system also has substantial shortcomings, according to a recent World Bank brief. Problems are systemic, stretching from elementary school to higher education. A separate World Bank assessment shows that only 55 percent of Tajik second graders and just 41 percent of fourth graders are meeting minimum reading standards.
