On December 17, StrategEast, in partnership with Google, hosted an exclusive event titled “How AI is Driving Economies in the Caucasus and Central Asia” at Google’s Riyadh office. This closed-door gathering brought together government officials, industry leaders, and AI experts to discuss the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the region’s economies.
The event began with opening remarks from Anatoly Motkin, President of StrategEast, followed by a welcome address by Dr. Olga Skorokhodova, Google’s Head of Central Asia and Caucasus, Government Affairs and Public Policy. Dr. Abdulrahman Habib, Deputy Chief Strategy Officer at the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) shared best practices for AI implementation in Saudi Arabia, offering valuable insights to the participants.
The event drew insights from a forthcoming study by Implement Consulting Group, commissioned by Google, which explores the economic impact of generative AI on the national economies of the Caucasus and Central Asia. Discussions addressed topics such as the economic opportunities of AI, regional preparedness for AI and cloud adoption, the influence of AI on labor markets, and Google Cloud’s approaches to data security and privacy.
The program featured notable speakers, including Rustem Bigari, General Manager of the Digital Government Support Center at Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry, who shared Kazakhstan’s progress in fostering a digital ecosystem. From Kyrgyzstan, Omurbek Kenzhebaev, Head of the Department of International Finance, Green Economy, and Tourism at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, discussed strategies for leveraging AI in sustainable economic development. Representing Uzbekistan, Azamat Karamatov, CEO of IT Park Venture Uzbekistan, and Abdurakhman Karimberdiev, Chief Manager of the North America Division at IT Park Venture Uzbekistan, shared their experiences in developing AI and startup ecosystems. Tajikistan’s Komilov Abduaziz, Deputy Director at the Open Joint Stock Company “Certification Centers, Digital Technologies and Development of Digital Programs,” highlighted ongoing efforts to integrate AI into national infrastructure. Speakers from the Caucasus region included Elvin Hajiyev, Head of the Azerbaijan Innovation Center at the Innovation and Digital Development Agency, who emphasized Azerbaijan’s commitment to digital transformation. Georgia’s Eka Kubusidze, Head of the Department of Communications, Information, and Modern Technologies at the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, shared the country’s vision for becoming a regional digital hub.
One of the key sessions, led by Bodil Emilie Hovmand, Senior Economist at Implement Consulting Group, explored the economic opportunities AI presents to the region. Khalid Alohali and Ghada Alhader from Google Cloud addressed pressing concerns about data security and privacy, while an interactive session invited participants to collaborate on actionable strategies for advancing AI adoption and capacity building across the region.
This event underscored the transformative potential of AI in the Caucasus and Central Asia, highlighting the importance of collaboration between governments, industry leaders, and international organizations. StrategEast and Google remain committed to supporting the region’s digital transformation, fostering economic growth, and positioning it as a global hub for innovation.
