Kazakhstan Plans AI Film Festival as Creative Industries Embrace Artificial Intelligence
Kazakhstan will host the Astana AI Film Festival this fall, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced on April 24 during a visit to the Alem.ai International Artificial Intelligence Center. The festival represents the country's push to position itself as a hub for digital innovation.
Tokayev launched several initiatives alongside the festival announcement. The Astana Smart City project will integrate real-time urban data through a unified AI platform. A nationwide expansion of the Tomorrow School AI education network will offer free adult training across 14 regions, while the TUMO Astana center will teach teenagers digital and creative skills.
An AI Research University opens in September with access to national computing infrastructure and large language models. Kazakhstan will also host the Phygital Games of the Future 2026 from July 29 to August 9.
Training and Workforce Development
Tokayev said the country needs to train at least 100,000 specialists in AI and deep tech. The government is supporting startups and building innovation ecosystems to develop that talent pool.
He emphasized that rapid technological change requires adaptability, particularly in creative industries where AI is altering traditional business models.
Policy and Infrastructure
Kazakhstan has created a legal framework for AI and established a dedicated ministry. A Digital Qazaqstan strategy is coming, with total digitalization and AI adoption identified as drivers of modernization.
The country also demonstrated its first domestic cryptocurrency payment using the CryptoPay system.
For creatives working in film, design, and media, understanding generative video tools and broader AI for creatives applications is increasingly relevant as these technologies reshape production workflows and creative processes.
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