Tajikistan has officially launched Area AI, the world’s first Special Artificial Intelligence Zone, marking a major milestone in the country’s ambition to become a global hub for responsible AI innovation, says press release issued by Ai CONF 2025. The launch was formalized with the signing of the Area AI Investment Consortium in Dushanbe, uniting leading global companies in the AI sector.
Area AI is designed to be a dedicated zone focused entirely on the development, deployment, and ethical use of artificial intelligence technologies. It will serve as a center for research, development, and international collaboration, while promoting investment and the transfer of advanced technologies. The zone also aims to advance global self-regulation mechanisms for AI, echoing a proposal Tajikistan presented at the United Nations.
The formation of the Area AI Investment Consortium marks a key step in bringing this vision to life. Acting as a managing alliance, the consortium brings together companies, research institutions, and startups working to build a new AI-driven tech ecosystem in Tajikistan.
The press release says founding members of the consortium include both local and international firms, such as zypl.ai, epsilon3.ai, zehnlab.ai, darya.ai, Qulla AI, and partners from the United States, UAE, Singapore, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. These organizations are pooling resources to establish a full-cycle AI innovation system — from green computing infrastructure and foundational research to education, commercialization, and the export of AI solutions from Tajikistan to Central Asia and beyond.
Among the global AI leaders joining the initiative are Presight (a G42 company), Yotta, and others. Memoranda of understanding have also been signed with AI pioneers Scale AI and Perplexity AI, spearheaded by Tajikistan’s Ministry of Industry and New Technologies.
To support the project’s launch, agreements have been made with major technology firms from the U.S., UAE, France, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to establish AI labs and research centers within the zone.
“Tajikistan already boasts a complete AI development cycle — from teaching AI in schools and integrating it into public systems to building green data centers,” said Firouzjon Sodiqov, CEO of Area AI. “The launch of Area AI is the next milestone on this journey. It will provide a platform for international companies to collaborate, test solutions, and access the Central Asian market through Tajikistan. This will position the country as a magnet for talent, investment, and advanced research, bridging East and West on the global technology map.”
The consortium was officially launched during AI CONF 2025, a major international conference held in Dushanbe that brought together government officials, tech companies, global organizations, and venture capital firms.
Area AI highlights Tajikistan’s strategic commitment to building a sustainable, inclusive, and ethical future through technology — and reinforces its emerging role as a leader in AI development and as a new technological center in Eurasia.
