ASTANA – Central Asia is seeking to turn its growing digital capabilities, energy resources and human capital into a stronger regional AI economy, with the United States offering support for digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and technology investment. The C5+1 SI Conference opened on Sept.
29 in Astana, bringing together representatives of Central Asian countries and the United States to discuss AI, digital infrastructure and opportunities for economic cooperation. Photo credit: The Astana Times Officials and experts discussed the opportunities and challenges of building that ecosystem at the C5+1 SI Conference: Digital Innovation for Economic Growth, which opened Sept.
29 in Astana. U.S. sees Central Asia as emerging AI hub Mark Cameron,the deputy assistant secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State, called on private-sector representatives to explore business opportunities in Central Asia, highlighting the region’s potential in the rapidly developing technology sector.
Mark Cameron, deputy assistant secretary for South and Central Asian affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Photo credit: The Astana Times “This region is brimming with talent, ambition and untapped potential. We are here to support you, to open doors and to set every single company in this room up for success,” Cameron said.
He also highlighted the importance of making advanced technologies more accessible and understandable to the public. “Super Intelligence (SI) is the future. It is reshaping economies, reshaping governments, reshaping the way our citizens live, work and connect with one another.
And I believe, with complete confidence, that we as C5+1 countries are in the right place, at the right time and with the right partners to capitalize on the incredible momentum we have built on this issue,” Cameron said. Cameron said the U.S. administration views Central Asia’s digital potential seriously and highlighted a $5 million U.S.
foreign assistance commitment through CRDF Global to support cybersecurity and the digital sector in Central Asia. The initiative is intended to strengthen cyber hygiene, cyber incident response, critical infrastructure protection, financial-sector security and cybersecurity policymaking.
Cameron also emphasized commitments made by the five Central Asian countries and the United States in Bishkek last spring to strengthen regional digital cooperation. These include efforts to unify digital frameworks and coordination mechanisms, harmonize personal data protection and intellectual property regimes in the IT sector, develop a coordinated approach to data center infrastructure and improve the business environment for cooperation with U.S.