How Kazakhstan is becoming a digital country

Artificial intelligence is gradually being integrated into Kazakhstan’s industry, agriculture, transport and public administration. The country is developing its own computing capacity, digital platforms and IT services exports.  In this article El.kz examines the changes already under way and their contribution to the economy.

From Digitalisation to an Artificial Intelligence Economy

Kazakhstan is entering a new phase of digital transformation. In June 2026, the national strategy Digital Kazakhstan through 2029 was approved. The strategy provides for the deployment of artificial intelligence across key economic sectors, the development of the IT market, workforce training and the expansion of digital infrastructure.

In October, the Government reviewed progress in implementing the strategy. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov instructed that digital projects be assessed on the basis of their practical impact, including improvements in business productivity, cost reductions and enhanced service quality. This approach reflects the central economic objective of digitalisation: technology must deliver measurable benefits.

Developing National Infrastructure for Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence requires substantial computing resources. Kazakhstan has already launched the Alem.cloud supercomputer cluster, which enables neural network training and the processing of large datasets. Its performance is approximately two exaflops in FP8 format, and it ranked 86th in the international TOP500 ranking.

In his Address of October, 28, the President announced plans to commission a third supercomputer by the end of the year. At the same time, the country is expanding its data centre capacity and international telecommunications connectivity. In particular, the installation of a fibre-optic cable along the seabed of the Caspian Sea has been completed.

This infrastructure creates favourable conditions for developing domestic AI solutions and processing data within the country. However, its operation and maintenance will require substantial expenditure on electricity, equipment and technical support.

IT Exports Become a Source of Revenue

The digital economy is already generating foreign currency earnings for Kazakhstan. According to the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, IT services exports reached USD 1.142 billion in 2025. A significant share of this market is accounted for by companies operating through Astana Hub.

Exports by Astana Hub participants amounted to USD 633 million. Kazakhstani developers provide international clients with software, fintech solutions, digital platforms and other technology products.

Oil and Gas and the Energy Sector

In industry, artificial intelligence is used to assess equipment condition, predict failures and optimise production processes. One area of application involves the introduction of digital twins at KazMunayGas fields. These virtual models make it possible to monitor the performance of industrial facilities and simulate potential changes in operating conditions.

The full-scale deployment of this technology is planned across twelve major fields by the end of 2028. For the oil and gas sector, this will enable more accurate equipment maintenance planning and reduce the risk of unplanned production shutdowns.

Agriculture and Water Resources

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, more than 650 agricultural enterprises use digital technologies. These include unmanned aerial vehicles, soil moisture sensors and precision farming systems.

In the water sector, a national information system has been developed and is at the final stage of preparation for launch. Hydrological models now cover the country’s largest river basins, Deputy Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Aslan Abdraimov said at a briefing held by the Central Communications Service.

This year, 283 irrigation canals are scheduled for automation, which is expected to reduce water losses.

Public Services

Digital transformation is also reshaping the delivery of everyday public services. In particular, eGov GPT is being developed to help users access information and obtain public services using artificial intelligence. According to the Government, 51 services are currently available through the digital assistant, with the number expected to increase to 150 by the end of the year.

Artificial intelligence integrated into the e-Otinish system has processed more than 3.2 million citizen requests. The QazTech platform brings together public services and data, while the migration of systems scheduled for this year has been almost fully completed.

An Inclusive Digital Economy and Skills Development

In his Address, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev set the objective of building an inclusive digital economy and instructed the Government to establish a simplified regulatory framework for digital employment by the end of the year. Next year, the Government, in cooperation with the business sector, will launch pilot projects in the regions.

More than 500,000 Kazakhstanis earn income through digital platforms, said Zhaslan Madiyev.

Residents of rural areas will be offered opportunities to connect to online marketplaces, access a network of parcel collection points and receive training in e-commerce.

Specialists are being trained through the AI-Sana programme and educational initiatives based at Alem.ai, including Tomorrow School. By the end of the strategy period, at least 80% of graduates from schools, colleges and universities are expected to have acquired basic AI skills, in accordance with the Digital Qazaqstan Action Plan.