Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired the second meeting of the Council on Artificial Intelligence development, stressing data, digital infrastructure, and measurable results.
A strong push for artificial intelligence is taking shape in Kazakhstan, as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired the second meeting of the Council on Artificial Intelligence development in Almaty.
In his remarks at the session, Tokayev said the world is entering a completely new phase of technological transformation, unlike earlier industrial-era changes.. He argued that the speed and scale of today’s shift are blurring the line between physical life and the digital sphere, with artificial intelligence and large-scale data increasingly viewed as key drivers of the global economy.
He also framed artificial intelligence as a central strategic direction for Kazakhstan, pointing to the need to embed AI technologies across all sectors of the economy.. At the same time, the President emphasized “technological safeguards” and urged that national interests remain at the center of decision-making.
The meeting spent significant time on the importance of an accurate, reality-based assessment before expanding digital initiatives.. Tokayev warned that broad targets and generic indicators can create an illusion of progress, making it difficult to judge how much digitization and AI truly contribute to economic growth.
In this context, he said the Government should work with the relevant planning and reforms body to propose ways to evaluate how digitalization affects GDP.. He also noted that disparities between advanced and developing economies are widening, and that AI-led capital and technology tend to concentrate among leaders unless timely steps are taken.
Meanwhile, Tokayev linked the next stage of progress to building large digital platforms and ensuring that state data systems work as an integrated foundation.. Without a unified approach to government data, he argued, AI benefits cannot be realized, and he called for transforming public services into more operational, less time-consuming processes.
He further described a shift toward “real-time economy” thinking, arguing that long approval and bureaucratic cycles reduce financial efficiency.. The President stressed that predictive monitoring supported by AI can help identify questionable transactions earlier, while also cautioning that relying only on state resources is strategically wrong.
The session also focused on infrastructure and security, with Tokayev presenting secure, reliable digital infrastructure as a cornerstone of the digital economy.. He said the work must follow principles of confidentiality, integrity, and availability, warning that cybersecurity is no longer limited to the virtual realm and needs strong institutional attention.
At the end of the meeting, Tokayev highlighted the Council’s broader goal: turning AI from a concept into practical use, including areas like industry where digitalization can raise productivity and reduce costs.. This matters because the success of AI development will depend less on the size of the program and more on how well solutions connect to the real economy.
Key figures including the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Development, the head of the National Bank, representatives from major innovation organizations, and academic and international speakers addressed the Council during the session.