Kazakhstan Establishes a Digital Hub for Accelerating Artificial Intelligence Adoption
Kazakhstan has announced a far-reaching AI development plan, focusing on nine key priority areas identified by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The plan, ordered by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, aims to modernise the country's digital landscape by the end of 2025.
Key Areas for AI Implementation
- Introduction of AI into the real sector of the economy: The plan focuses on increasing labor productivity through AI integration in production processes, with collaboration from the government and the Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund.
- Public administration: The strategy seeks to improve the efficiency of government services by using AI, simplifying procedures, expediting processes for handling public appeals, and modernising IT architecture.
- Healthcare: AI technologies will be applied to enhance healthcare services, enabling more accurate diagnostics, personalised treatment selection, continuous monitoring of patients' conditions, and freeing doctors from routine tasks.
- Digital transformation strategy development: A comprehensive roadmap and strategy for AI and digital transformation across sectors will be created.
- National digital platform - QazTech: The launch and expansion of this platform will create a sovereign digital infrastructure and integrate various state systems into one.
- Cybersecurity: Ensuring AI development is secure and protected from cyber threats is a key concern.
- Support for domestic IT startups: The plan aims to foster innovation by supporting local tech companies and startups.
- Advancement of Smart City projects: AI solutions will be deployed in urban development for smarter governance and services.
- Education and human capital development: AI will be integrated into schools and colleges through new curricula and expanding dual training programs with industry partnerships.
Timeline and Milestones
- The digital transformation group, or "digital headquarters", led by Prime Minister Bektenov, was established in August 2025 to oversee the implementation and coordination of AI projects.
- By the end of 2025, AI incorporation into e-government platforms, Smart City initiatives, and state agencies is targeted. The QazTech platform had already begun commercial operation in July 2025.
- During the 2025–2026 academic year, AI-based subjects and AI integration into technical and vocational education, alongside ethical standards for AI use in education systems, will be introduced.
Additional Context
- The Ministry of Defense is creating an AI unit to enhance military capabilities by automating management, data analysis, and decision-making.
- Kazakhstan aims to work closely with international partners, particularly China, on AI technology development and research.
- Challenges include the shortage of skilled AI professionals and the need for auditing current IT infrastructure to avoid inefficiencies.
This comprehensive AI plan is designed as a phased approach, led by the Prime Minister with active coordination among government agencies, sectors, and international collaboration. The near-term focus is on foundational digital infrastructure and human capital enhancement by the end of 2025. The aim is to create a modern, safe, and convenient system in which government services will be available to every citizen in one click.
The digital transformation group is chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. It includes Deputy Prime Minister, Chief of the Government Staff, Chairman of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, and Advisor to the President on Digitalization. Measures to strengthen data protection and cybersecurity are planned, along with systematic work to improve the architectural discipline of the country's IT landscape.
Bektenov emphasises the need to resolve challenges related to introducing AI technologies quickly and in close cooperation, including matters of data fragmentation, the lack of clear regulations for the distribution of supercomputer capacity, cybersecurity, and the complete transition to the QazTech platform. The government and the Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund are developing a roadmap for the use of AI in production processes to increase labor productivity. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has given instructions on AI development, which the digital transformation group is to ensure full implementation of. The modernisation of IT architecture is one of the key areas the group is focusing on. During an Aug. 12 meeting, the group focused on nine key areas defined by President Tokayev as priorities. Domestic startups are to gain access to the Healthcare Ministry's infrastructure and transition to the Unified Medical Database.
Technology and artificial intelligence are central to Kazakhstan's AI development plan, with the introduction of AI into the real sector of economy prioritized for increasing labor productivity through integration in production processes. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the government and the Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund. Additionally, the plan aims to implement artificial intelligence in public administration for enhancing the efficiency of government services.
