Creator( )Salvinos Rachmonklova
Release date
Samandar Tursnaliev is already one of the up-and-coming figures in Uzbekistan’s growing technology scene. As the founder and CEO of KOTIB AI, an AI startup that provides software solutions to businesses, he represents a new generation of innovators that firmly places Uzbekistan on the world’s AI map.
Tursnaliev’s journey from a small village on the Kyrgyz border to leading a startup with dozens of corporate clients reflects Uzbekistan’s broader technological transformation.
His story reflects not only entrepreneurial grit but also how government policy, local innovation and global ambition are working together to reshape this country’s digital future.
building a startup
Born and raised in a modest community near the Kyrgyzstan border, Tursnaliev went to South Korea for higher education in his early years, but ultimately interrupted his journey to return home and start his own business.
Like many young Uzbek innovators, he believed there was an opportunity to combine global technology with local needs.
His first product, a speech-to-text tool that helps journalists automatically convert spoken words into written words, was incomplete at launch. But rather than abandon it, Trusnaliev moved forward with constant iteration until the technology became commercially viable.
What started as a basic transcription service has now grown into KOTIB AI, a broader AI platform serving a growing number of businesses and sectors in Uzbekistan.
KOTIB AI for the digital age
At its core, KOTIB AI is designed to augment human productivity rather than replace it, and Tursnaliev conveys this message when engaging with potential corporate partners. He emphasizes that AI must empower employees and reduce repetitive tasks while increasing efficiency and quality of service.
The startup’s solutions include tools for speech recognition and transcription, automated customer support agents, analytics for call centers, and multilingual content workflows.
Built with Uzbekistan’s linguistic diversity in mind, KOTIB AI supports Uzbek, Russian, and English, addressing the complexity of local dialects that many global tools have difficulty handling accurately.
Despite initial skepticism, including concerns about job losses, Trusnaliev insists his goal is to increase efficiency without compromising the role of humans. “AI will replace those who don’t adapt, not those who embrace the tools to perform,” he says.
Mr. Trusnaliev’s approach reflects a broader trend. As Uzbekistan ramps up its efforts to develop a national AI infrastructure, local startups are increasingly developing homegrown tools tailored to local needs.
The government’s strategy document highlights a wide range of support for AI, from educational initiatives and training programs to innovation clusters and startup incentives such as the “5 Million AI Leaders” program, a government initiative to develop AI specialists and support startups.
support and challenge
Uzbekistan’s leadership has made artificial intelligence a strategic priority, aiming to position the country as a regional hub for AI research and innovation. The national program aims to develop AI specialists, attract investment, and integrate AI solutions across the public and private sectors.
Forums, hackathons, and prize competitions offering large sums of money are being launched to support emerging ventures.
With incentives such as a reduced tax rate for IT startups, reportedly worth around 1% of income, the country is becoming fertile ground for AI businesses that can scale regionally and globally.
This supportive environment has helped companies like KOTIB AI grow, but innovators like Trusnaliev are also navigating broader challenges, from talent acquisition and public awareness to the inherent difficulties of building cutting-edge technology in developing markets.
Expanding beyond Uzbekistan
Strategic ambitions extend beyond borders. Tursnaliev envisions expanding into nearby Central Asian markets first, then targeting major global markets such as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the United States.
His roadmap includes strengthening the team with internationally competitive talent and positioning KOTIB AI as a global competitor within five years. His vision has already resonated with Uzbekistan’s young generation, who dream of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Trusnaliev’s distinguishing feature is not only his technical skill, but also his human-centered perspective. Samandar Tursnaliev captures the essence of Uzbekistan’s new technology generation, embodying both the promise and complexity of the AI era and proving that innovation can thrive wherever initiative and support gather.