From building AI for telecom giants in France to simplifying access to microloans in Uzbekistan, Anvar Zokhidov is a name that's redefining what it means to be a tech-driven problem-solver. Now pursuing a PhD in the United States, Zokhidov is one of the first Uzbek experts to develop an AI-powered automatic credit scoring system. His journey is a rare blend of deep technical knowledge, commitment to national progress, and the belief that technology should simplify human lives.
This story traces Zokhidov's path through the worlds of digital banking, research, and global innovation—all while keeping his roots in Uzbekistan firm.
The AI Journey Begins at Orange
Anvar's fascination with artificial intelligence took off while working at Orange (France Telecom), France's leading telecommunications provider and one of the largest in Europe, with 36 million customers in France alone and over 290 million worldwide.
His work was based at Orange Labs in Lannion, France, within the DATA-IA division of Orange Innovation, specifically in the NADIA (NAtural DIAlogue) team, which specializes in natural language dialogue systems. Here, he joined the CORDIAL project—an R&D initiative focused on enhancing AI-driven language technologies. The Lannion campus, one of Orange's largest, houses over 3,000 employees.
Long before ChatGPT became mainstream, Anvar contributed to the development of internal chatbot systems for Orange. One of these, internally dubbed "OrangeGPT," helped process and categorize customer queries automatically. He built systems that could analyze user questions, classify them by intent, and improve the customer support experience significantly.
He also created another AI system that reduced operational costs by 30% by optimizing how the company handled internal requests and customer interactions. It was during this time that Anvar deepened his passion for working with large-scale AI models.
Before Orange: Research at CNRS
Prior to Orange, Anvar had already gained experience in research at CNRS, one of France's most prestigious research institutions. There, he developed a system to detect events using surveillance camera data, supported by a European Union-funded project that attracted international academic interest.
In another project, he worked on a healthcare data analytics tool that helped accelerate biological research. This experience sharpened his understanding of how scientific rigor and practical problem-solving intersect.
Seeds for the Future: A Spark in China
Anvar's first encounter with AI happened earlier, during his undergraduate studies. He was selected for Huawei's competitive "Seeds for the Future" program, which required passing multiple selection stages including recommendation letters, IELTS score, GPA, essays, logic and math tests, and final interviews with Huawei.
As one of only 10 students selected from Uzbekistan, he traveled to China for a two-week training program. The first week in Beijing included language training and cultural exchange; the second week in Shenzhen took place at Huawei headquarters, where he received hands-on exposure to AI, telecommunications, and IoT technologies. That immersive experience, he says, was one of the earliest sparks that drew him to AI.
Later, during the final year of his undergraduate studies, he interned at Huawei's Tashkent office. After completing his degree, he received a scholarship to pursue graduate studies in France.
Bringing AI to Uzbekistan's Banking Sector
After his success in France, Anvar returned to Uzbekistan and joined one of the country's banks as a Senior Software Engineer. There, he led a team that developed the first AI-based automatic online credit scoring system for sole proprietors in the country.
Previously, such systems only existed for retail customers, but his innovation allowed entrepreneurs to apply for microloans entirely via mobile apps, without needing to visit a bank branch or submit extensive paperwork. The system analyzed users' financial history and behavioral patterns to automatically assess creditworthiness, making the lending process faster, more accessible, and data-driven. The system is still in use today.
PhD in the U.S. and Looking Ahead
Today, Anvar is pursuing his PhD at The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), where he also serves as a teaching assistant for undergraduate students studying artificial intelligence.
During summer breaks, he continues to explore how AI can transform finance, especially in the context of digital banking and financial inclusion. His doctoral research includes collaborative projects with his relative and namesake, Professor Anvar Zakhidov from UT Dallas, a world-renowned physicist known for his work in nanophotonics and energy systems. Together, they aim to expand the application of AI in scientific and technological fields.
Anvar sees a rapid transformation ahead for Uzbekistan:
"Processes will be automated, bureaucracy will shrink, and digitization will speed up decision-making. Many banking services will be handled by AI. All banks will adopt automated credit scoring systems. Cybersecurity will also improve, with AI playing a central role. Uzbekistan, alongside the broader Central Asian region, could emerge as a global player in AI and fintech within the next five years."
What Will It Take?
"If we keep up the current pace of AI integration—or even accelerate it—Uzbekistan and its companies have every chance to become global leaders in the near future."
By Abdulloh Tursunov
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