AI in Space: China’s Smart Dragon-3 launched two AI-powered hyperspectral satellites, with one mission supporting Uzbekistan’s cotton monitoring and onboard AI processing for faster decisions. Uzbek Space Tech: Uzbekistan’s Samarqand-2028 hyperspectral satellite has been deployed, with Uzbekcosmos building the AI module to process data onboard and support agriculture, environment, and disaster-risk uses. Cybersecurity: Kaspersky warns of OctLurk and SilkLurk Windows backdoors targeting government and public institutions across Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan since 2025. Digital Economy: Uzbekistan is pushing an AI economy on top of its IT outsourcing base, using IT Park incentives and export growth to move from services to AI adoption. Education Reform: Uzbekistan is expanding higher education access and international accreditation, with credit-module system rollout and growing foreign-provider partnerships. Defense Cooperation: India and Uzbekistan held a sixth joint working group meeting on defence ties, focusing on counter-terrorism training, interoperability, and defence industry technology exchange. Trade & Minerals: India floated a possible free trade agreement with Uzbekistan as both eye deeper cooperation in copper and rare-earth processing. Regional Tech Industry: South Korea’s AHA plans a $20M Fergana plant for interactive boards, EV chargers, and medical equipment, with component localization via Chinese partners. Energy Integration: Russian nuclear tech is framed as essential for EAEU energy integration, tying regional power modernization to nuclear cooperation. Security/Policy Watch: Central Asia’s critical-minerals race highlights US-China competition, with Uzbekistan positioned in the wider supply chain push.