Urgent Action Needed for AI to Drive National Growth, According to President Tokayev
Kazakhstan is making strides in its quest to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) as a catalyst for economic growth and digital transformation. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has declared AI development a strategic national priority, with a comprehensive national AI strategy aimed at systematizing efforts across nine strategic sectors.
The strategy, which covers economic modernization, digital government, healthcare, and other key areas, emphasizes the integration of AI in key industries, labor market adaptation through large-scale training, legal and regulatory reforms, infrastructure development, and export support for AI startups.
Nine Strategic Areas of AI Implementation
President Tokayev has identified nine strategic areas for AI implementation, including economic modernization, government digitalization, healthcare, and more. These areas are designed to drive productivity, digitalize government services, improve diagnostics and treatment planning in healthcare, and more.
Labor Market Adaptation
To prepare the workforce for AI-driven changes, large-scale training and skills development programs are being implemented. This includes upskilling teachers in AI to ensure the next generation is equipped with the necessary skills.
Regulatory Framework
A new AI law is planned for adoption by October 2025. This law aims to balance innovation with security and citizens' rights, drawing inspiration from global AI regulatory models while tailoring solutions to Kazakhstan's national priorities.
Digital Ecosystem Modernization
The transition of all state and quasi-state digital systems to a sovereign digital platform, QazTech, is targeted for 2026. This platform, designed under the ABCDE model (AI, Big Data, Cloud, Data Centers, Education), will power a digital transformation that will see Kazakhstan's digital systems become more secure and efficient.
Infrastructure Investment
Central Asia’s largest supercomputer cluster is being established to power AI innovation, national data security, and research. This supercomputer will provide accessible resources for startups and national projects, helping Kazakhstan achieve its ambition to become a regional AI and cloud computing hub.
Supporting AI Startups
The government plans to provide export support for promising AI startups and revive a digital ambassador initiative to showcase Kazakhstan’s innovations internationally. This support is designed to foster a youthful talent pool with unicorn potential.
Personal and National Security
President Tokayev has emphasized the need to shift to secure domestic platforms, such as the Aitu messenger, for all official and personal data communications. He also highlighted the need to cultivate AI proficiency among the younger generation and called for targeted state support for young talent in the AI sector.
National Digital Security
In light of the largest data leak incident in Kazakhstan occurring in June this year, President Tokayev stressed the importance of national digital security. He asserted that the state must take full responsibility for this security, ensuring the protection of citizens' data and digital assets.
Attracting Investment
With nearly $100 billion invested in AI startups worldwide in 2024, President Tokayev emphasized the importance of creating a favorable ecosystem in Kazakhstan to attract this investment. This includes introducing export support measures for local AI startups and expanding the ongoing AI-Sana training initiative to equip students with foundational AI skills.
In summary, Kazakhstan’s national AI strategy is a pragmatic, multi-faceted government program focused on legal, economic, educational, and infrastructural modernization to leverage AI as a key engine for sustainable economic growth and digital sovereignty.
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