Kazakhstan Outlines Ambitious AI Vision at Astana Finance Days 2024

Astana, The Gulf Observer: Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry, Zhaslan Madiyev, delivered a keynote address at the Astana Finance Days 2024 conference, emphasizing the country’s commitment to advancing artificial intelligence (AI) as a key driver of economic growth. Reporting from the event, NHC highlighted Madiyev’s vision for Kazakhstan’s AI leadership, underscored by a comprehensive strategy for fostering innovation and collaboration.

“Artificial intelligence is transforming industries, economies, and societies on a global scale,” Madiyev stated during the panel session. He emphasized that Kazakhstan is positioning itself to harness AI’s transformative power through a strong focus on innovation and international collaboration. This aligns with Kazakhstan’s new Concept for the Development of Artificial Intelligence for 2024–2029, which aims to foster the “Generative Nation” movement—a key initiative designed to build a robust AI ecosystem, drawing inspiration from global leaders like Singapore and South Korea.

Kazakhstan is set to launch its National Artificial Intelligence Center next year, a major project outlined by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during his recent state address. The center will support entrepreneurs, researchers, and students, fostering a new generation of AI experts. “The center will become a competence hub, developing new AI models in partnership with global companies,” Madiyev said, further noting that Kazakhstan’s AI talent pool will be expanded through peer-to-peer programming schools and the launch of the AI Decentrathon, the country’s largest AI hackathon.

Madiyev also shared success stories of Kazakhstani innovation, including the health-tech startup Cerebra, which has expanded into the United States, and Higgsfield AI, which raised $100 million in venture funding from Menlo Ventures. These examples, he said, demonstrate Kazakhstan’s growing presence on the global AI stage.

The minister further discussed Kazakhstan’s plan to establish a Digital Solutions Center under the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) framework. The center, expected to launch in 2025, will strengthen the nation’s role in digitalization and innovation, offering a platform for the exchange of best practices and technologies with other countries.

As Kazakhstan continues to build its AI infrastructure, the Digital Solutions Center will also play a pivotal role in promoting Kazakhstani startups on the international stage. “Our influence in terms of technological competence, both regionally and globally, will be strengthened,” Madiyev remarked, noting that the center will enhance the country’s technological exports and position Kazakhstan as a leader in AI and digital solutions.

Madiyev concluded by highlighting the importance of collaboration, talent development, and infrastructure in achieving Kazakhstan’s AI goals, stating, “These initiatives will accelerate AI development and secure Kazakhstan’s position as a strong player in the global AI market.”