Tajik youth driving AI-assisted development

Artificial intelligence (AI), including machine learning (ML), is used across all areas of modern life from voice recognition systems to navigation apps. Scientists and practitioners are increasingly using AI tools as a way to pursue the global sustainable development agenda. This growing trend is essential for creating innovative approaches to old problems, for example, in the healthcare and education sectors. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, the deepened adoption of AI can lead to a trillion dollar boost in economic output by 2030. What is more, the demand for highly skilled AI professionals will significantly exceed supply in the near future, propelling developing countries such as Tajikistan to establish regional AI hubs. 

In Tajikistan, UNDP partnered with TajRupt, a nonprofit organization on a mission to empower youth. They set up tajrupt.ai (TAI), Central Asia’s first artificial intelligence lab which aims to transform Tajikistan into a regional hub for machine learning education and entrepreneurship. Jointly with UNDP, TajRupt organized four-month, free of charge AI courses for 30 young people, including 8 girls, in Dushanbe and Khujand, cities in Tajikistan. During the courses students had access to supervised machine learning curriculum, which included statistics, calculus, and programming in Python.  

The main objective for UNDP and TajRupt is to expand the pool of qualified AI engineers and data analysts in Tajikistan who can effectively contribute to implementing the National AI Strategy and leverage the country’s development potential. By the end of the course the students acquire the essential background and skills enabling them to find job in the field of AI. 

“Local academic institutions originally provide students with theoretical knowledge, whereas the training course equipped us with the necessary practical skills,” shares Gulabru, an active participant in the AI courses, who is currently employed at Zypl.ai, an AI startup founded by TajRupt. Alongside her work, Gulabru is also involved in other AI projects. In cooperation with her teammates, she intends to create a special app for students who are looking for job opportunities. Using artificial intelligence, the app will help match jobseekers to jobs based on their skills and employees’ requirements.   

The idea of creating features that can identify skin cancer through digital mapping and photography has been suggested by other participants taking part in the AI course. 

“We have already created a prototype and are currently testing it. Based on the results of the latest test, our app can detect 7 classifications of skin cancer with an accuracy of 97%,” reveals Jasur, a trainee in the AI course.  

Aside from AI course, students have participated in extracurricular sessions and team building meetings that aim to build awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). 

“The process was very informative and relevant. We learned a lot about the SDGs in the context of Tajikistan, thus each of us deeply realized how important it is to take responsibility for our actions and that building a better sustainable future for everyone can be jointly achieved,” shares Komil, a participant in the training. 

To date, 13 successful finalists have completed the course and completed their internships. Two graduates have already been employed as machine learning apprentices at Zypl.ai lab. 

These trainings have been organized within the framework of UNDP’s Digital solutions for recovery and adaptation project and implemented by TajRupt. This project is an 18-month initiative, funded through the UNDP Rapid Financing Facility, that aims to accelerate the immediate and long-term response to the COVID-19 socio-economic impact and to improve capacities for stronger recovery.