ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AS A DRIVER OF PRODUCTIVITY, GREEN AND CIRCULAR ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION: A MODEL FOR UZBEKISTAN IN THE ERA OF GLOBALIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE

The rapid diffusion of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the organization of production, resource allocation, innovation and economic decision-making, while globalization and climate change are simultaneously increasing the need for more productive, resource-efficient and environmentally sustainable growth. For developing economies, the challenge is not only to accelerate digital transformation but also to ensure that AI contributes to green and circular economic development. This study examines the potential of AI to enhance productivity while supporting resource efficiency, environmental sustainability and circular economic transformation in Uzbekistan. The research combines a comparative review of international experience, analysis of Uzbekistan’s economic and policy context, indicator-based assessment and conceptual economic modelling. Particular attention is given to the mechanisms through which AI can improve production efficiency, optimize energy and water use, reduce material losses, improve waste management, strengthen forecasting and support climate-resilient economic activities. Based on these relationships, the study develops an AI-Driven Green Circular Productivity Model (AI-GCPM) designed for the institutional and economic conditions of Uzbekistan. The proposed model integrates AI adoption, productivity improvement, green efficiency and circularity into a unified framework and provides a basis for evaluating the economic contribution of AI beyond conventional digitalization indicators. The study argues that effective AI deployment requires integration with human capital development, digital infrastructure, environmental policy, data governance and sector-specific innovation. The proposed model provides policy directions for using AI to accelerate sustainable productivity growth and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Uzbekistan and other developing economies facing simultaneous digital, economic and climate-related transformations.