ZTE Hosts "Smart Factories for the Country of Startups" Forum at ICT Week Uzbekistan 2026

• ZTE hosted "Smart Factories for the Country of Startups" forum showcased AI-powered manufacturing strategies to support Uzbekistan's industrial modernization and digital transformation
• ZTE presented innovative telecom solutions based on artificial intelligence technologies, covering six areas: wireless networks, transport networks, FTTx, computing systems, digital energy, and subscriber devices

Tashkent, Uzbekistan, September 24, 2026 – ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, successfully hosted the forum "Smart Factories for the Country of Startups" in Tashkent as part of ICT Week Uzbekistan 2026. The event provided a platform to present the company's strategy for AI-powered manufacturing and factory digitalization, covering how AI, 5G, cloud, edge computing, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies can be integrated into production environments to enhance automation, operational efficiency, quality control, energy management, and sustainability. The forum further reinforced ZTE's commitment to supporting Uzbekistan's industrial modernization and broader digital transformation goals.

The forum focused on practical artificial intelligence in manufacturing: what works in production today and how to take industrial AI from pilot to scale. ZTE shared results from its Nanjing Binjiang base–China's first five-star 5G factory–and from AI deployments already live in Uzbekistan. Leaders from government, academia, the national AI community, digital infrastructure, and industry then discussed how to make industrial AI real in the country. Participants learned how 5G, AI, and edge computing work together on the production line; reviewed measured results such as faster lead times, lower energy use, and higher output; explored where Uzbek manufacturers should start, including quality inspection, predictive maintenance, and energy optimization; and discussed the skills, infrastructure, and partnerships needed to move from pilot to production.

The program featured opening remarks from Jamol Makhsudov, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Ildar Yusupov, Vice Director of ZTE Uzbekistan. Ekaterina Sayapina, Marketing and Solutions Director of ZTE Uzbekistan, delivered a keynote address titled "Manufacturing with AI – AI in the Factory". The forum also featured a panel discussion on "From Pilot to Production – Making AI Real in Uzbekistan", bringing together prominent AI and technology leaders, including Aziz Mukhitdinov, Head of the AI Alliance of Uzbekistan, and Dr. Bahodir Ahmedov, Rector of New Uzbekistan University and others. The panel was moderated by Aziz Atabekov, Vice Director of ZTE Uzbekistan.

Jamol Makhsudov, Deputy Minister of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, said, "Uzbekistan has made significant progress in developing its digital economy, but our ambitions extend far beyond building infrastructure. We are focused on harnessing artificial intelligence and advanced technologies – including 5G, cloud and edge computing – to drive the transformation of the real economy. Achieving this vision requires close cooperation between government, businesses, and technology partners. We highly value our partnership with ZTE and its contribution to advancing Uzbekistan’s digital transformation."

At its stand at ICT Week 2026, ZTE presented a comprehensive portfolio of innovative telecom solutions based on artificial intelligence technologies, covering six key areas: wireless networks, transport networks, FTTx, computing systems, digital energy, and subscriber devices. Highlights included advanced wireless modules that simplify deployment and reduce costs, the HI-NET transport solution, all-optical access innovations, the ZTE AIR Core computing ecosystem, AI-driven energy management, and interactive demonstrations of the latest consumer devices.