Digital Push: Uzbekistan is moving to become a key Central Asian IT hub, with plans to build infrastructure, attract companies via tax incentives, cut bureaucracy, and scale AI skills—over 1 million young specialists trained under the “Five million AI leaders” push. Japan Partnership: Tashkent and Japan agreed to expand AI and digital cooperation, including a proposed Japan–Uzbekistan Digital AI Center and Uzbek-language access to thousands of online courses. Schools Go Digital: The “Ishonch-2030” program is rolling out digital transformation in schools with UNICEF support, training teachers to use ICT and AI in classrooms and school management. Creative Economy Law: The Senate approved changes to boost the creative sector, adding tax incentives for fund projects and Creative Industry Park residents, plus VAT and income tax breaks for qualifying foreign creative contractors (2026–2030). Culture & People: In Sabirabad, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan’s People’s Artist Gulyaz Mammadova met young talents, while Tajikistan–Kyrgyzstan “Days of Cinema” continue to strengthen regional cultural ties. Context: Uzbekistan’s digital agenda is also being paired with broader regional momentum—Central Asia is increasingly positioning tech, AI, and education as economic priorities.