A large-scale program called "Build with AI for Sustainable Growth" is being launched for the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus.

On June 12, StrategEast, in partnership with Google, launched a large-scale cross-border project, Build with AI for Sustainable Growth. The program, which will run for several months, will bring together developers from across the Central Asia and Caucasus region to find solutions to sustainable development challenges using AI technologies. The best development teams from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia will present their projects at the final hackathon in Astana in autumn 2024.

In implementing the program, Google partners with the independent Eurasian digital economy development organization StrategEast, in collaboration with the USAID project for entrepreneurship and business environment development. The initiative will be implemented in coordination with and with the support of the governments of the countries in the region.

As part of the Build with AI for Sustainable Growth program, experts from Google and StrategEast will conduct a series of hackathons and workshops for technical specialists, utilizing the company's tools based on artificial intelligence. These tools are built on the most advanced large language model (LLM), Gemini. The program is focused on finding solutions to sustainable development issues in the Central Asia and Caucasus region.

For Google, supporting the program is part of a targeted effort to train IT industry specialists in the use of AI tools.

The finale of the Build with AI for Sustainable Growth program, in the form of a hackathon, is planned to take place in Astana in autumn 2024. Participating teams will present their prototypes or even ready-made products for sustainable development in such relevant areas as:

— improving air and water quality

— environment, health, and quality of life

— land degradation, desertification, loss of biodiversity, and, as a consequence, deforestation

— water resource management and protection against depletion

— agriculture and food security.

To apply for participation in the Build with AI for Sustainable Growth Hackathon, please follow this link. Applications are accepted until August 15, 2024.