The President of Kazakhstan has outlined new tasks for the development of AI in the country

As part of the international technology forum AI & Digital Bridge 2026, the third meeting of the Council for the Development of Artificial Intelligence took place under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The main topic was the digital transformation of industry and the transition from individual AI projects to the systematic implementation of artificial intelligence in the real sector of the economy.

At the Council meeting, the Head of State identified artificial intelligence as one of the key factors for economic competitiveness. Among the priorities, he named increasing labor productivity, technological modernization of industry, and increasing the production of high value-added products.

These tasks align with the Digital Qazaqstan strategy until 2029, approved by Presidential Decree on June 9, 2026. The document provides for the digitalization and implementation of artificial intelligence in key sectors of the economy and public administration.

From January to August 2026, industrial production in Kazakhstan amounted to 45.6 trillion tenge, with manufacturing growing by 8.4%. Further growth, as noted by the President, requires the modernization of production and increased efficiency of enterprises.

The President instructed the Government, together with JSC Samruk-Kazyna, to identify enterprises where key business processes can be comprehensively restructured using artificial intelligence, and to scale proven effective solutions to other companies.

The main criterion should be measurable economic results — increased productivity, reduced costs, and improved production efficiency.

Special attention was given to the connection between science, technological business, and industry.

The Qazaq AI Research University being created should become not only a center for training specialists but also a platform for applied research. Tasks for researchers are proposed to be formulated based on the needs of enterprises, jointly with engineers, technologists, and production specialists.

To search for and test solutions, the President proposed more actively using the AI Challenge mechanism. Developers should gain access to necessary data, computing resources, and production infrastructure, while solutions should be tested directly in real production conditions.

Another task is to shorten the path from a proven effective pilot project to its industrial implementation. Today, scaling can be delayed due to repeated tests, approvals, procurement procedures, and regulatory restrictions.

The Government has been instructed to develop a mechanism for the accelerated transition of effective industrial AI solutions to commercial application and subsequent scaling. Special attention is proposed to be paid to domestic developments that have already confirmed their economic efficiency.

Full-scale implementation of artificial intelligence is impossible without high-quality and structured data. The President instructed to develop unified approaches to the creation of industry-specific industrial databases, including standards for quality, compatibility, and safe use.

At the same time, access for researchers and developers should be combined with the protection of commercial secrets, strategic information, and critically important data.

Thus, industrial AI transformation should cover the entire cycle — from defining the production task and preparing data to developing the solution, testing it, evaluating the effect, and scaling.

During the meeting, issues of international regulation of artificial intelligence were discussed.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev positively evaluated the voluntary agreement on safe and responsible AI development signed by US President Donald Trump and leaders of major technology companies.

According to the Head of State, after expert review, the so-called "Washington Model" could be considered as a possible basis for an international treaty under the auspices of the UN.

The President also stated Kazakhstan's readiness to serve as a platform for international dialogue on issues of safe and responsible development of artificial intelligence. Kazakhstan's proposals are planned to be presented at the G20 summit in Miami in December 2026.