Anvar Zokhidov is one of those rare specialists whose name stands alongside the leaders at the forefront of the industry. Extraordinary and truly obsessed with knowledge, Anvar has become a guru of applied artificial intelligence, breaking through the wall between classical IT and the new challenges of FinTech and NLP. His journey from a student in Tashkent to a researcher in Texas is not just a story of rapid career growth, but a vivid embodiment of how talent, backed by hard work, leads to global recognition.
Anvar, today you are known as one of the brightest representatives of the new generation of AI specialists from Uzbekistan. Tell us, how did your journey begin?
– My journey in technology began in Tashkent, where I received a bachelor's degree in mobile telecommunications. The studies were intense; the course included programming and the basics of artificial intelligence, but to be honest, my fascination with AI started a bit later. In my first year, I worked part-time as a photographer, shooting weddings. It wasn’t a career, just a way to earn money. Nevertheless, even then I was drawn to technology. And it was in my second year that the first turning point happened — I was selected for the prestigious international Huawei program “Seeds for the Future.”
What kind of program was that?
– Very competitive. Thousands of students from all over the country applied, and only ten people were selected. We spent two weeks in China: the first week in Beijing, studying the Chinese language and culture, and the second at Huawei’s headquarters in Shenzhen, where for the first time I truly came into contact with AI in practice. This was before ChatGPT and the hype around generative models, but even then I understood how powerful a tool it was. That was the moment I decided: I will work in artificial intelligence.
What exactly attracted you to this field?
– AI is synthesis. Programming, mathematics, theory, and practice. Before, I used to ask myself: why do we need advanced mathematics if it's not used in real work? Artificial intelligence became the answer for me — it allowed me to apply all of this in real life, in real projects. And that sense of meaningfulness inspired me to move forward.
How did your trajectory develop after your bachelor's degree?
– I applied for a master’s program abroad. I chose a unique program at Université Côte d’Azur in France: “Modeling of Neural and Cognitive Systems.” It was multidisciplinary, with the possibility to choose your own track — I went into AI. There was a strong focus on practice: starting from the second semester, students were required to work or intern. It gave me incredible experience. For example, my chatbot at Orange processed 36 million queries, reducing company costs by 30% (around $500K per year) — that was my first practical example of industry transformation through AI.
Where did you intern?
– The first internship was at CNRS, one of the largest research networks in the world. We worked on studying Alzheimer’s disease and the potential effects of metformin. I was doing Data Science, building models, analyzing data. Then I had another internship at a different CNRS lab, where I worked with event cameras and Computer Vision models. The last internship was at the telecom company Orange: I developed an NLP model that eventually replaced the customer support department.
You’ve worked in industry, not just in academia, right?
– Yes. After completing my master’s degree, I returned to Uzbekistan and took the position of Senior Manager at Tenge Bank, a subsidiary of Halyk Bank. My team and I implemented an AI-based scoring system for small business loan applications — a person would simply apply through the app, and the system would automatically analyze the data and make a decision. This project received an award as the best digital banking solution of the year. It was recognized by AlmatyFair.AI 2024 as the first AI solution for SMEs in Uzbekistan. The system increased loan approval rates by 22%, with a GINI coefficient of 0.62, which is 20% higher than the regional banking standard.
And yet you chose the academic path?
– More of a hybrid, really. I'm currently pursuing a PhD in the US, at the University of Texas at Dallas, specializing in AI. At the same time, I teach — I work as a teaching assistant for the course “Artificial Intelligence.” I’m also involved in scientific research and applying for patents. One of them was submitted with my academic mentor from the US, a physics professor I’ve been collaborating with for several years. He, by the way, is also originally from Uzbekistan.
You are a member of the Central Asian Artificial Intelligence Association (AICA). How has that influenced your professional work?
— I joined AICA in February 2024, and honestly, I didn’t expect this collaboration to have such a strong impact. Over the past year, the association has turned into a kind of “OpenAI of Central Asia.” It now unites almost all major companies in the region and is actively expanding internationally. Through AICA, I started receiving requests for lectures and workshops — first in banks, then at conferences, including one in Europe where I spoke in collaboration with Serbia. In just a year, I held three such workshops, and this gave me not only professional recognition but also strong industry contacts. In the future, AICA plans to develop an AI Ambassador program, and there’s a high chance that I will become the official representative of Uzbekistan in the US in this field.
What do you see as your mission for the next 5–10 years?
– First, I want to create my own AI startup. I attended the TechCrunch conference, where I got to see cutting-edge developments in AI startups, which gave me a strong push to start something of my own that brings real value to people. Second, to continue research, write scientific papers, and get published. And, of course, to work in a large company to ensure a stable foundation. I believe it's possible to combine industry, entrepreneurship, and science.
Many people fear that AI will replace humans. You’re inside the process — what do you think about that?
– It already is replacing people. At Orange, the chatbot replaced live operators. In the bank where I worked, the system took over part of the risk management department’s functions. People were left without tasks. Artificial intelligence is developing exponentially, and with each passing month, it penetrates deeper into areas that previously required human involvement. But it’s important to understand: it doesn’t destroy humans — it transforms the profession. We, as humanity, should not be afraid, but adapt. And the future belongs to those who create, not just consume technology.
