Turkmenistan’s Minister of Communications Announces AI Competence Center at SPIEF 2026
Speaking at the session “Digital Future: Common Development Vectors, Challenges and Solutions” during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2026), Turkmenistan’s Minister of Communications, Hajymyrat Hudaigulyev, outlined the country’s plans for the development of artificial intelligence.
According to the minister, an AI Competence Center will be established on the basis of the state telecommunications company Turkmentelecom. The center will support national digital priorities, conduct research, and train highly qualified specialists.
The minister also noted that the ministry plans to implement joint pilot projects with international partners in the areas of transport and logistics corridor management, forecasting in the oil and gas sector, and optimization of water resources in agriculture.
Hudaigulyev stated that over the past three years, the capacity of Turkmenistan’s international internet channels has increased tenfold, creating a solid foundation for the development of digital services, e-commerce, and cross-border data exchange. He emphasized that artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain technologies, and cybersecurity are viewed as key drivers of economic growth and are already being introduced in education, healthcare, agriculture, and transportation.
In addition, the minister presented strategically important infrastructure projects, including the construction of the Serhetabat–Herat fiber-optic communication line with access to South Asian markets and the laying of a submarine cable across the Caspian Sea. These projects will create new high-speed digital routes between Europe and Asia and enhance the reliability of international communication channels.
