Reimagining information science internships: tuit’s AI-centric model for Uzbekistan’s digital future

Uzbekistan’s digital transformation, guided by the Uzbekistan 2030 strategy, underscores the urgent need to reform information science education to meet the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence (AI). As the country’s flagship institution, the Tashkent University of Information Technologies (TUIT) is uniquely positioned to pioneer these reforms by redesigning curricula and internships that integrate AI across libraries, archives, government agencies, and private information firms. AI technologies are reshaping conventional tasks such as cataloging and information retrieval, requiring students to shift from routine activities to supervising intelligent systems, evaluating outputs, and addressing ethical issues. Simultaneously, AI expands opportunities for experiential learning in data analytics, natural language processing, and digital governance. This paper argues that AI-centric internships can drive societal change by bridging the digital divide and democratizing access to information. Through collaboration with national and international partners, TUIT can establish a transformative model of education that advances Uzbekistan’s modernization and global competitiveness.