Kazakhstan’s youth and AI: Key findings from a new national study

Young people in Kazakhstan are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence technologies and regard digital competencies as a prerequisite for professional development. In this article El.kz highlights the key findings of the latest national study and the issues that matter most to Kazakhstan’s youth today.

Youth as a strategic resource for the country’s future

An expert discussion was held in Astana to present the findings of the “Youth of Kazakhstan”sociological study conducted by the Youth Research Center on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The study serves as the basis for the annual National Youth Report, which assesses the current state of the country’s youth environment and provides evidence to support the formulation of public policy.

The event brought together representatives of government agencies, research institutions, universities, and civil society organizations to discuss how digital technologies are reshaping the lifestyles, values, expectations, and future aspirations of young people in Kazakhstan.

According to Guliskhan Nakhbayeva, Director of the Youth Research Center, digital transformation has already become an integral part of everyday life for a significant proportion of Kazakhstan’s youth. The study indicates that many young people perceive emerging technologies as essential tools for education, employment, and personal development.

Why young people are investing in AI skills

Guliskhan Nakhbayeva addressed the readiness of young people to adapt to labour market changes driven by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence.

“Today’s youth in Kazakhstan demonstrate a high level of digital adaptability, viewing proficiency in artificial intelligence as a key prerequisite for maintaining professional competitiveness,” she said in an interview with El.kz.

According to the study, 41.8 % of respondents identified digital competencies and AI-related skills as the most important capabilities for future employment. These findings indicate that demand for technological expertise extends well beyond the information technology sector.

The study also shows that AI technologies have already become part of everyday life. 52.2 % of respondents reported using artificial intelligence in education, professional activities, or routine daily tasks.

The findings further highlight strong public support for integrating AI education into formal learning programmes. 62.9 % of survey participants supported the inclusion of artificial intelligence in educational curricula, expecting such knowledge to become an essential component of professional training regardless of their chosen field of study.

According to Guliskhan Nakhbayeva, most young people view artificial intelligence not as a separate career path but as a universal tool that enables them to solve problems more efficiently and improve productivity across a wide range of professional and everyday activities.

Research findings and expert perspectives

Head of the Department of Sociological Research and Forecasting at the Youth Research Center Sabina Shaimerdenova presented the results of the “Youth of Kazakhstan” study. The findings demonstrate that digital technologies are significantly influencing young people’s values, online behaviour, trust in public institutions, and civic engagement.

Chief Research Fellow at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, Aigul Zabirova emphasized that young people remain one of the country’s most important strategic development groups. In her view, effective youth policy should be grounded in evidence-based research and empirical data, as today’s younger generation will play a decisive role in shaping Kazakhstan’s future.

Head of the Family Policy Department at the Kazakhstan Institute of Public Development, Aknur Imankul discussed the impact of the digital environment on family life and youth socialization. She noted that the online environment is exerting an increasingly significant influence on the formation of young people’s values, patterns of communication, and behavioural models.