Kazakhstan rises as an AI superpower
The government plans to train one million AI specialists and has attracted over $250 million in venture capital for AI innovation.
Since the launch of its Digital Kazakhstan initiative in 2017, the country has shifted from resource-dependent roots to digital leadership.
It ranks 24th globally on the UN’s e‑government index and among the top 10 in online service delivery. Over 90% of public services, such as registrations, healthcare access, and legal documentation, are digitised, aided by mobile apps, biometric ID and QR authentication.
Central to this is a Tier III data-centre-based AI supercluster, launching in July 2025, and the Alem.AI centre, both designed to supply computing power for universities, startups and enterprises.
Kazakhstan is also investing heavily in talent and innovation. It aims to train up to a million AI-skilled professionals and supports over 1,600 startups at Astana Hub. Venture capital surpassed $250 million in 2024, bolstered by a new $1 billion Qazaqstan Venture Group fund.
Infrastructure upgrades, such as a 3,700 km fibre-optic corridor between China and the Caspian Sea, support a growing tech ecosystem.
Regulatory milestones include planned AI law reforms, data‑sovereignty zones like CryptoCity, and digital identity frameworks. These prepare Kazakhstan to become Central Asia’s digital and AI nexus.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!