In the global race toward digital transformation, Central Asia has begun to emerge as a region of technological experimentation and innovation. At the forefront of this shift stands Kazakhstan, which over the past several years has built one of the most comprehensive digital ecosystems in the region. Through large-scale investments in artificial intelligence, digital governance, telecommunications infrastructure and startup development, the country is positioning itself as a technological hub connecting Europe and Asia.
The government has also adopted a national AI development concept running through 2029. The strategy focuses on applied AI solutions, workforce training and responsible governance of emerging technologies. An AI Development Council under the President brings together international experts and leading researchers to guide long-term policy and technological priorities.
Kazakhstan is also developing its own large language models, including KazLLM, Sherkala, and AlemLLM, which will serve as the foundation for a national generative AI platform known as AlemGPT. These systems are expected to support public services, education and private sector innovation.
The national e-government platform eGov.kz serves over 15 million registered users, while its mobile application has more than 11 million users. In 2025 alone, citizens accessed more than 51.5 million government services online.
Advanced features such as biometric identification, QR-based digital signatures and AI-assisted service search have significantly improved accessibility and efficiency. Digital documents – including passports, driving licenses and national Ids – are widely used across the country, further reducing bureaucratic friction.
The government is now moving toward an AI-GovTech model, where policy decisions and service delivery are increasingly guided by large-scale data analytics through the Smart Data Ukimet system, which integrates dozens of government databases and information systems.
Such computing power enables training of large language models, complex scientific simulations and advanced analytics for government and industry. Additional data centers and cloud platforms are being developed to support national digital platforms, fintech services and private sector innovation.
The rollout of 5G networks is accelerating, with thousands of base stations deployed in major cities. Kazakhstan has also become the first country in Central Asia to officially deploy satellite internet services such as Starlink and OneWeb, helping bridge connectivity gaps in remote regions.
A trans-Caspian fiber-optic network and national data highways are also under development, strengthening Kazakhstan’s role as a digital transit corridor between Europe and Asia.
Startups receive tax incentives, simplified visa regimes and access to venture financing and international accelerator programs. These policies have helped local companies expand globally, with Kazakhstan’s IT service exports reaching around $1 billion annually.
In 2025 the region celebrated its first technology «unicorn», AI company Higgsfield.ai, highlighting the growing maturity of the startup ecosystem.
Programs such as AI Sana, Tech Orda, and Tomorrow School are designed to develop practical programming and data science skills, while the international AI center alem.ai hosts research laboratories, startup accelerators and educational programs for young innovators.
For countries like India – one of the world’s leading digital economies – Kazakhstan’s transformation offers opportunities for collaboration in AI development, fintech innovation, digital governance and startup investment. Shared expertise between the two countries could contribute to building new technology corridors linking South Asia with Central Asia.
By integrating artificial intelligence into public administration, developing advanced computing infrastructure and nurturing a vibrant startup ecosystem, the country has built a comprehensive digital model rarely seen in emerging economies.
As the global digital landscape continues to evolve, Kazakhstan is steadily positioning itself not just as a technology adopter, but as a creator of new digital solutions for the region and beyond.
National Strategy Built Around Artificial Intelligence
A defining feature of Kazakhstan’s digital agenda is the systematic integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into government, business and education. In 2025 the country adopted the region’s first dedicated Law on Artificial Intelligence, establishing rules for algorithm transparency, data protection and risk management in sensitive sectors such as healthcare, education and public administration.The government has also adopted a national AI development concept running through 2029. The strategy focuses on applied AI solutions, workforce training and responsible governance of emerging technologies. An AI Development Council under the President brings together international experts and leading researchers to guide long-term policy and technological priorities.
Kazakhstan is also developing its own large language models, including KazLLM, Sherkala, and AlemLLM, which will serve as the foundation for a national generative AI platform known as AlemGPT. These systems are expected to support public services, education and private sector innovation.
Digital Government as the Backbone of Innovation
Kazakhstan’s digital transformation began with the modernization of public services. Today more than 90% of government services are available online, making digital interaction with the state the primary channel for citizens.The national e-government platform eGov.kz serves over 15 million registered users, while its mobile application has more than 11 million users. In 2025 alone, citizens accessed more than 51.5 million government services online.
Advanced features such as biometric identification, QR-based digital signatures and AI-assisted service search have significantly improved accessibility and efficiency. Digital documents – including passports, driving licenses and national Ids – are widely used across the country, further reducing bureaucratic friction.
The government is now moving toward an AI-GovTech model, where policy decisions and service delivery are increasingly guided by large-scale data analytics through the Smart Data Ukimet system, which integrates dozens of government databases and information systems.
Building a Regional AI Infrastructure
Kazakhstan’s technological ambitions are supported by powerful computing infrastructure. In 2025 the country launched a national supercomputer cluster at the Alem.cloud center, with performance reaching approximately 2 exaflops, placing it among the top 100 systems in the global TOP500 ranking.Such computing power enables training of large language models, complex scientific simulations and advanced analytics for government and industry. Additional data centers and cloud platforms are being developed to support national digital platforms, fintech services and private sector innovation.
Telecommunications Expansion and Digital Connectivity
Digital transformation requires reliable connectivity. Kazakhstan has significantly expanded broadband and mobile infrastructure across its vast territory. By 2025, approximately 95% of the population had internet access, while thousands of rural communities were connected through 4G networks and satellite internet solutions.The rollout of 5G networks is accelerating, with thousands of base stations deployed in major cities. Kazakhstan has also become the first country in Central Asia to officially deploy satellite internet services such as Starlink and OneWeb, helping bridge connectivity gaps in remote regions.
A trans-Caspian fiber-optic network and national data highways are also under development, strengthening Kazakhstan’s role as a digital transit corridor between Europe and Asia.
Rapidly Growing Startup Ecosystem
Beyond public infrastructure, Kazakhstan is nurturing an export-oriented IT economy. The Astana Hub technology park has become the centerpiece of the national startup ecosystem, hosting nearly 1,900 technology companies, including hundreds with international participation.Startups receive tax incentives, simplified visa regimes and access to venture financing and international accelerator programs. These policies have helped local companies expand globally, with Kazakhstan’s IT service exports reaching around $1 billion annually.
In 2025 the region celebrated its first technology «unicorn», AI company Higgsfield.ai, highlighting the growing maturity of the startup ecosystem.
Investing in Digital Talent
Recognizing that talent is the foundation of technological progress, Kazakhstan has launched nationwide education initiatives focused on AI and digital skills. The government aims to train one million people in AI competencies within five years, with more than half of that target already achieved through university programs, professional courses and online learning platforms.Programs such as AI Sana, Tech Orda, and Tomorrow School are designed to develop practical programming and data science skills, while the international AI center alem.ai hosts research laboratories, startup accelerators and educational programs for young innovators.
Opportunities for Global Technology Partnerships
Kazakhstan’s digital ambitions are increasingly global. The country has signed major cooperation agreements with international technology leaders including OpenAI, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Cisco and Oracle. These partnerships aim to strengthen AI research, cybersecurity capabilities and cloud infrastructure.For countries like India – one of the world’s leading digital economies – Kazakhstan’s transformation offers opportunities for collaboration in AI development, fintech innovation, digital governance and startup investment. Shared expertise between the two countries could contribute to building new technology corridors linking South Asia with Central Asia.
Model for Emerging Digital Economies
Kazakhstan’s experience demonstrates how coordinated government policy, strong digital infrastructure and international cooperation can accelerate technological transformation.By integrating artificial intelligence into public administration, developing advanced computing infrastructure and nurturing a vibrant startup ecosystem, the country has built a comprehensive digital model rarely seen in emerging economies.
As the global digital landscape continues to evolve, Kazakhstan is steadily positioning itself not just as a technology adopter, but as a creator of new digital solutions for the region and beyond.
