A new report shows that despite the ongoing efforts to expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in all spheres of life, Central Asian countries still lag significantly behind the world leaders in AI adoption.
Kazakhstan is Central Asia’s leader in AI use, ranking 72nd among 147 countries, with 13.7% of the working age population using AI at the end of 2025, according to the Microsoft AI Economy Institute’s report “Global AI Adoption in 2025—A Widening Digital Divide.”
Kyrgyzstan ranked 117th with 8.2% AI use, followed by Uzbekistan, ranked 141st (6.3%), Tajikistan, ranked 145th (5.6%), and Turkmenistan, ranked 146th (5.6%).
According to the report, the world is using artificial intelligence at record levels. In the second half of 2025, global adoption of generative AI tools reached 16.3% of the world’s population, up from 15.1% in the first half of 2025.
Among the top 30 countries, nations that have invested early and consistently in digital infrastructure continue to lead. The United Arab Emirates and Singapore again hold the top two positions, followed by Norway, Ireland, France, and Spain. Kazakhstan designated 2026 as the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence Development. The country also plans to establish an Artificial Intelligence University.
