“AI Talks” Launches in Uzbekistan: Bold, Unscripted, and Human

On Saturday, IT Park University, the American University of Technology, IT Park Uzbekistan, and EPAM hosted the inaugural “AI Talks” event — a bold new discussion series that puts real conversation above formalities and buzzwords.

 

 

 

 

 

Held at the Ministry of Digital Technologies’ Congress Hall in Tashkent, the event gathered students, educators, tech professionals, and thought leaders around one theme: “AI – Friend or Foe?”

 

Unlike typical conferences, “AI Talks” embraced an open, kitchen-style format — with coffee, audience debates, and live disagreements between speakers and guests. The audience explored topics such as:

• What exactly is AI and how does it learn?
• Can AI agents act independently?
• How will AI reshape education?
• Are programmers becoming obsolete?
• Can human critical thinking compete with algorithmic precision?

 

Key speakers included:

• Bokhodir Ayupov (CEO, IT Park University), who also served as moderator
• Dr. Rajan Tripathi (Director of the AI Innovation Lab, AUT)
• Prof. Said Irandoust (Rector, AUT)
• Renat Akhtyamov (Head of EPAM Uzbekistan)
• Marina Ten (People Head, EPAM Uzbekistan)

The event closed with a fiery “Human vs AI” showdown, with live audience participation and unscripted challenges.

 

 

AI Talks is set to become a recurring platform to openly discuss the role of artificial intelligence in society, technology, and education. The next edition will focus on AI and Creativity.