"Kazakhstan can be a hub for AI" - ISSAI Head maps the path through education, regulation, and investment
At Digital Bridge 2025 in Astana, Dr. Huseyin Atakan Varol, General Director of the Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI), laid out a clear plan: use AI to lift teaching, build a capable workforce, create smart rules, and turn Kazakhstan into a regional AI hub.
AI in classrooms and campuses
AI won't replace teachers. It will give them time back. Dr. Varol points to grading and feedback as the first wins: automated assessment that returns instant, constructive responses so teachers can spend more time teaching.
He highlights generative models-language, audio, and vision-for tutoring, simulations, and richer coursework. The key is localization: models must understand the Kazakh language, culture, and curricula. ISSAI plans to complete its generative model, Oylan 3, this year and fine-tune it for education next year, aligning with the national goal to become a digital AI nation within three years.
When students should use AI
Unrestricted use leads to metacognitive laziness. Dr. Varol's stance: treat AI as a helper that offers guidance only when needed. That approach accelerates learning without replacing the effort required to learn.
This applies to K-12 and universities, from Kazakh language learning to math tutoring-especially for rural students. Just as important: teach when not to use AI. Ethics, responsible use, and clear guardrails should be part of every program.
Beyond students, reskilling matters. Many roles will change, and people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s should update their skills to stay competitive. The AI-Sana program within the Alem International AI Center is set to support this effort.
Policy priorities
Dr. Varol welcomes the new Ministry of Artificial Intelligence. A single focal point enables vertical and horizontal integration of AI across society.
Regulation is essential. As he put it, AI is as transformative as electricity and can be as dangerous as nuclear weapons. Kazakhstan has adopted an AI law; now it needs detailed regulations that let innovation move fast while minimizing harm and protecting citizens. For reference, see the OECD AI Principles.
Investment and startups
Kazakhstan has a strong appetite for venture. Until recently, it lacked true venture capital depth; that is changing. He cites the rise of local funds and startups-the example of Higgsfield AI reaching unicorn status-and predicts more unicorns within five to ten years.
Enablers he names: decisive leadership, supportive policy, well-educated youth, and AI infrastructure like supercomputers. In this market, companies can reach unicorn status in about four years. Become a first mover, empower young talent, and growth follows.
Kazakhstan as a regional hub
"Kazakhstan can be a hub for AI." Dr. Varol frames the country as a modern caravanserai-linking East and West, North and South. A friendly nation with a multi-vector foreign policy, consistent respect for international law, and a positive investor climate.
Astana adds to the appeal: pleasant, clean, and safe. These fundamentals create the conditions for AI companies, capital, and talent to gather and build.
What it means for educators, IT leaders, and policymakers
- Schools and universities: Pilot AI-assisted grading and feedback in core subjects. Add clear AI use policies. Localize content and tools for Kazakh. Build small, safe sandboxes for student projects.
- IT and engineering leaders: Stand up internal copilots for code, data analysis, and documentation. Evaluate multimodal models for simulations and labs. Prioritize data governance to support compliant fine-tuning.
- Policymakers: Create regulatory sandboxes, safety baselines, and model evaluation standards. Support compute access via national supercomputing. Fund reskilling at scale with measurable outcomes.
- Investors: Focus on AI infrastructure, localized models, edtech, and enterprise software. Back teams building with local data advantages and clear go-to-market paths.
Regional momentum
His view was echoed in panel sessions where Central Asia's AI experts discussed how to build a unified startup ecosystem. Common themes: shared infrastructure, cross-border talent programs, and consistent standards to speed up commercialization.
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