Kazakhstan Establishes Digital Hub for Enhanced AI Adoptions
Kazakhstan Accelerates AI Development and Digital Transformation
Kazakhstan is embarking on a comprehensive digital transformation journey, focusing on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various sectors. This initiative, overseen by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, aims to create a modern, safe, and convenient system for government services to be available to every citizen in one click.
The digital transformation group, chaired by Prime Minister Bektenov, has been established to accelerate AI integration in the economy. The group includes key figures such as the 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.
The group's primary focus is on developing a pragmatic national AI strategy involving international experts. This strategy aims to integrate AI across nine strategic sectors, including economic modernization, government digitalization, healthcare, labor market adaptation, and regulatory framework enhancement.
In the healthcare sector, new technologies will enable more accurate diagnostics, personalized treatment selection, continuous monitoring of patients' conditions, and free doctors from routine tasks. Domestic startups are to gain access to the Healthcare Ministry's infrastructure and transition to the Unified Medical Database.
Smart City projects are also a key area of focus. Astana (now Nur-Sultan) will launch a Smart City project in December 2025, digitizing urban infrastructure using AI for transport, energy efficiency, security, and environmental monitoring. The project plans to be scaled to major cities like Almaty, Shymkent, and Karaganda, requiring investments between $500-$700 million.
AI is scheduled to be employed within e-government frameworks and Smart City projects, with the national digital platform QazTech already operational since July 2025. Plans include migrating all state and quasi-state digital systems to a single sovereign platform.
Systematic work is planned to improve the architectural discipline of the country's IT landscape and strengthen data protection and cybersecurity. A priority is being given to consolidate Aitu as a national messenger, with government agencies being transferred to Aitu and key participants integrated into a single digital environment.
The government and Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund are developing a roadmap for the use of AI in production processes to increase labor productivity. Large-scale training programs aim to produce about 5,000 AI and data analytics specialists annually.
In addition, Kazakhstan is collaborating with China on digital and AI technologies, including joint research labs and participating in global AI development organizations. In August 2025, Kazakhstan’s Defense Ministry established a specialized AI unit to develop AI solutions for big data analysis, automated command systems, operational modeling, and real-time decision-making.
President Tokayev personally supervises AI development efforts, emphasizing the strategic importance of AI for Kazakhstan’s future as an advanced digital state and calling for urgent acceleration in implementing necessary infrastructure and legal frameworks. Prime Minister Bektenov supports these initiatives, ensuring government coordination to meet the stated timelines.
This coordinated roadmap reflects Kazakhstan's ambition to embed AI deeply in economic, government, urban, and defense sectors on an accelerated timeline primarily focused on 2025 completion and operational readiness.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to be employed within e-government frameworks and Smart City projects, as part of Kazakhstan's digital transformation journey that aims to integrate AI across various sectors. The digital transformation group, chaired by Prime Minister Bektenov, is developing a pragmatic national AI strategy, involving international experts, to integrate AI across nine strategic sectors.
