#AI #GSMA #5G #Uzbekistan #Tashkent

M360 Eurasia Conference Kicks Off in Tashkent

Today marks the inauguration of the M360 Eurasia Conference hosted by GSMA in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This event brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to explore digital transformation opportunities across Eurasia. Emphasizing inclusion and growth, the conference aims to spotlight regional voices and underrepresented languages within the field of artificial intelligence (AI).

In conjunction with Uzbekistan's Ministry of Digital Technologies and Beeline Uzbekistan, a subsidiary of VEON, the M360 Eurasia Conference underscores the burgeoning digital ecosystem in the region while investigating the next wave of mobile technologies. The GSMA has released its latest report, “Mobile Economy Eurasia,” revealing that the economic impact of mobile technologies in the Eurasian region is projected to reach $270 billion by 2030.

One of the highlights of the event will be a demonstration of the award-winning Kaz-LLM model developed collectively by Kazakh research institutions and QazCode, a subsidiary of VEON. This model is supported by a supercomputing center in Barcelona and GSMA Foundry, designed to help bridge language barriers in AI for resource-scarce languages. Kaz-LLM seamlessly operates in Kazakh, Turkish, English, and Russian, showcasing the potential of AI to enhance communication across different cultures.

Additionally, GSMA Foundry will present other initiatives during the conference, pairing with IBM to grant GSMA members access to the Watsonx.ai platform. There’s also a collaboration with the European Space Agency focused on developing non-terrestrial networks, which will be elaborated at the conference.

Vivek Badrinath, the CEO of GSMA, stated, "Connectivity serves as a core driver of economic growth and is vital for the transformation of business practices and public services throughout the region. Last year, mobile technologies and services contributed approximately 7.7% of the GDP in Eurasia, equating to $220 billion. This figure is set to grow to $270 billion by 2030. The M360 Eurasia Conference provides an excellent platform for discussing how to accelerate digital progress across the region through collaboration, innovation, and ambition. I look forward to the upcoming discussions."

The Role of Connectivity, 5G, and AI in Eurasia’s Digital Transformation

The “Mobile Economy Eurasia 2025” report highlights how mobile technologies are catalyzing digital transformation and economic expansion throughout the region. With a rising number of smartphone users, increased mobile internet utilization, and the expanding dynamics of 5G networks, the mobile ecosystem plays a pivotal role in shaping Eurasia's digital future.

Key insights from the report indicate that:

• - Mobile technologies and services are expected to contribute $270 billion to the Eurasian economy by 2030, representing 8.3% of GDP.
• - The number of 5G connections is anticipated to reach 143 million by 2030, accounting for 41% of all mobile connections.
• - By 2024, two-thirds of the Eurasian population, around 164 million people, were already utilizing mobile internet.
• - Despite these advancements, a significant gap persists, as approximately 80 million individuals in Eurasia still do not use mobile internet, many living in areas where access is available.

With focused discussions and innovative showcases, the M360 Eurasia Conference sets the stage for harnessing the potential of mobile technologies and fostering collaborative efforts to bridge gaps in digital connectivity across the region.