Central Asia and Caucasus firms adopt AI at double global rate, KPMG finds

September 3, 2026 at 07:55 AM2 min

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Companies in Central Asia and the Caucasus are adopting artificial intelligence at twice the global average, according to KPMG's 2026 technology report. The survey of over 2,500 technology leaders across 27 countries found 53% of regional organizations have deployed AI at production level, compared with 24% worldwide. The region's rapid uptake is driven by high digitalization and existing data infrastructure, even as only 34% of firms have a clear AI strategy versus 76% globally.

Key Facts

53% of organizations in Central Asia and the Caucasus have implemented AI at production level, versus 24% globally, according to KPMG's 2026 survey.
The KPMG survey covered more than 2,500 technology leaders from 27 countries, including 32 from Central Asia and 40 from the Caucasus.
44% of regional companies actively test new technologies before widespread adoption, compared with 21% worldwide.
Only 34% of regional firms have a clear AI strategy, while the global figure is 76%.
A governance system controlling AI use across departments exists in just 25% of regional companies, versus 69% globally.

Adoption Rates

KPMG's 2026 technology report found that 53% of organizations in Central Asia and the Caucasus have deployed AI at production level and are achieving measurable results. The global average for production-level AI adoption stands at 24%, less than half the regional figure. Researchers surveyed more than 2,500 technology leaders across 27 countries, including 32 from Central Asian companies and 40 from Caucasus firms. KPMG noted that some respondents may have counted individual solutions such as text or voice bots as production-level AI.

Drivers and Infrastructure

44% of companies in Central Asia and the Caucasus prefer to actively test new technologies without waiting for widespread adoption, compared with 21% globally. The report cites the region's relatively high level of digitalization as a key factor behind the rapid AI uptake. Many organizations already have the necessary infrastructure for working with databases and connecting external systems, enabling faster deployment of AI-based solutions.

Strategy and Governance Gaps

Only 34% of regional companies have a clear AI strategy, compared with 76% worldwide. A management system controlling AI use across different departments exists in just 25% of firms in the region, versus 69% globally. The report highlights this gap as a problem amid the rapid growth of AI adoption in Central Asia.