Qaz.AI

The Association for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Kazakhstan (Qaz.AI) was established in May 2023 with the aim of promoting the adoption and advancement of cutting-edge AI technologies to drive the country's digital transformation and sustainable development. The project addresses key challenges by uniting efforts of the government, businesses, and academia to create an innovative ecosystem that enhances the quality of life and strengthens Kazakhstan's position in the global technological community.

The main issues the Association aims to resolve include a lack of AI infrastructure, a shortage of qualified specialists, a low level of AI technology adoption in key sectors such as healthcare, education, and public administration. As part of its activities, the Association develops and supports legislative initiatives, organizes educational programs, facilitates the growth of innovative startups, promotes the practical use of AI in real-world solutions.
Key Advantages of the Project:

International Collaboration: Signing memorandums with international partners and organizations.
Education and Workforce Development: Enhancing the qualifications of specialists and popularizing AI among the general public.
Business Support: Providing advisory support and optimizing processes using AI-based solutions.
Global Mission: Promoting sustainable development and improving living conditions through the ethical application of AI.
The Association aims to become a leading platform for advancing AI, emphasizing collaboration and innovation to secure Kazakhstan's leading position in this field.

The Association for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Kazakhstan (Qaz.AI) does not act as a developer of its own AI products but as a platform for uniting and coordinating the efforts of various stakeholders, including government bodies, businesses, educational institutions, and international partnerships. Instead of creating proprietary solutions, the Association focuses on the following aspects:

Role of the Association:

Ecosystem support: The Association facilitates the implementation of existing AI solutions and platforms provided by both local and international partners. This includes adapting and integrating technologies into areas such as healthcare, education, business, and public administration.
Analytics and consulting: The Association conducts needs assessments and readiness analyses for companies and government entities to adopt AI. Based on these analyses, recommendations are provided for selecting appropriate technologies and partners.
Organization of educational and research programs: The Association develops and conducts training sessions, workshops, and educational programs to enhance the skills of professionals and popularize AI among the broader population. These initiatives leverage advanced technologies and tools provided by third-party developers.
Infrastructure support: The Association supports the creation of a favorable infrastructure for AI, such as incubators for startups, laboratories, and innovation centers that utilize third-party products and technologies.
International collaboration: The Association actively collaborates with leading global AI developers, including corporations and scientific organizations, to implement their technologies and adapt them to the needs of Kazakhstan.
In this way, the Association acts as an integrator and promoter of advanced AI solutions, contributing to the development of the ecosystem and accelerating the country's digital transformation. However, it does not develop its own AI products, allowing it to focus on strategic management and creating conditions for industry growth.

Working solution

Medicine
Education
Legislative regulation
Representation of the national brand

Key Achievements of the Qaz.AI Association:

Support for Startups and Ecosystem development:
The Qaz.AI Association actively supports the startup Cerebra.ai, which implements innovative AI solutions in medicine, addressing the challenge of high-quality diagnosis of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. For successful integration of such technologies into clinical practice, it is essential to undergo state expertise through the Unified Commission for Quality of Medical Services (UCQMS). The Association facilitates the interaction of the startup with the UCQMS, assisting in all necessary certification stages, including evaluation of clinical effectiveness, compliance with national standards, and safety requirements. This ensures not only the legitimacy of Cerebra.ai’s developments in healthcare but also their widespread use to improve diagnostic and treatment quality in Kazakhstan.
The Qaz.AI Association recognizes that all medical startups in the field of artificial intelligence (MedTech) will inevitably face similar challenges and barriers encountered by Cerebra.ai. These difficulties include access to high-quality medical data for algorithm training, the need for lengthy certification and validation procedures, complex regulatory requirements, and the necessity of trust and support from government bodies and medical institutions.
However, the activities of the Qaz.AI Association are not limited to supporting a single startup or creating conditions exclusively for individual projects. The strategic goal of the Association is to establish a systematic and sustainable ecosystem for all Kazakhstani MedTech startups.

Educational Initiatives:

Organized more than 10 educational programs for public servants and educators on integrating AI into the educational process and managing public services.
Held an educational master class on artificial intelligence for journalists aimed at increasing media representatives’ knowledge of key AI concepts and practical applications in journalism.
Participated in mentoring students of the iQanat program.
Anar Tuleubaeva, Deputy Chairperson of Qaz.AI, and Assel Abakova, GR Director of the Association, actively mentor the iQanat project, aimed at reducing educational inequality among Kazakhstani schoolchildren.
The project focuses on supporting students who did not enroll in the iQanat school, emphasizing foreign language education, entrepreneurship, and career guidance.
Within the IT direction, Anar and Assel introduce students to the basics of artificial intelligence, its role in future professions, and ethical principles of technology use.
International Collaboration:

Signed memorandums with major international partners such as Huawei Technologies, MOST Ventures, the Respublica Party, and Alem School, enhancing Kazakhstan’s integration into the global AI ecosystem and providing access to international markets.
Participation in Legislative Initiatives:

The Association is involved in developing standards and regulatory frameworks for AI applications, including in medicine and public administration.
Awareness and Popularization:

Established informational channels and a podcast that reached an audience of more than 33,000 people, promoting AI and the Association’s educational initiatives.
These achievements highlight the strategic role of the Qaz.AI Association in advancing AI as a driving force for digital transformation and innovative growth in the country.

Social impact:

Improvement of Healthcare: Through the support of MedTech AI technologies, solutions utilizing AI enable early diagnosis of strokes and other diseases.

Enhancement of Digital Literacy: Educational initiatives, such as training programs for educators, public servants, and students, have helped more than 500 participants acquire AI skills, improving their professional competence and preparing them for the challenges of digital transformation.

Social Integration of Technologies: The Association's programs have raised awareness of the importance of AI among diverse segments of society, including educational institutions, government bodies, and the private sector. This fosters the creation of a more inclusive digital ecosystem aimed at enhancing citizens' quality of life.

Development of National AI Policy: The Association actively promotes the development and improvement of legislation governing the use of AI, including initiatives to regulate the ethics and transparency of algorithms. These measures provide legal support for the safe and scalable implementation of technologies.

Strengthening International Connections: Participation in international forums and memorandums with global leaders such as Huawei, MOST Ventures, the Respublica Party, and Alem School has facilitated integration into the global AI ecosystem and created transparent conditions for international collaboration.

Uniqueness of the Qaz.AI Association

The Qaz.AI Association possesses a number of unique characteristics that distinguish it from other initiatives in the field of artificial intelligence:

Focus on Coordinating Efforts Across the Ecosystem:
The Association not only supports the development of AI solutions but also serves as a bridge between the government, businesses, academia, and international partners. This approach effectively combines resources and knowledge to address complex digitalization challenges in Kazakhstan.

Strengthening the Regulatory Framework:
The Association actively participates in shaping national AI policies by developing standards and regulatory documents in collaboration with government bodies and international experts. This ensures transparency and safety in AI implementation, which is a key factor in building public trust.

Facilitating AI Adoption in Key Industries:
The Association helps adapt AI solutions for specific industries, such as healthcare and education, thereby addressing pressing social and economic challenges.

Comprehensive Approach to Education and Workforce Development:
The Association conducts extensive educational programs aimed at enhancing digital literacy and AI-related skills. These initiatives target both entry-level specialists and seasoned professionals, creating a sustainable foundation for the growth of a highly skilled workforce in the country.

Integration into the Global Ecosystem:
Through strategic partnerships with international corporations and participation in global forums and acceleration programs, the Association positions Kazakhstan within the global AI development agenda. This opens opportunities for experience exchange and attracting investments.

Ethical and Social Orientation:
The Association actively promotes the ethical and sustainable use of AI, focusing on algorithm transparency, data protection, and equitable access to technologies. This fosters a trustworthy environment for the adoption of AI solutions.

Scalability Opportunities:

Expansion of International Cooperation:
Deepening partnerships with international organizations and technology giants such as Huawei and Yandex to integrate advanced technologies in Kazakhstan. Special attention will be paid to attracting foreign investments and sharing experiences with global AI leaders.

Support for Regional Development:
Establishing AI centers in Kazakhstan’s regions to increase accessibility to technologies and train local specialists. This will help reduce the digital divide and improve technological literacy in regional areas.

Strengthening Acceleration Programs:
Increasing the number of supported startups through acceleration and incubation programs, enabling the scaling of successful solutions nationally and internationally. The goal is to support up to 50 startups annually, with a focus on MedTech and GovTech.

Potential Development Directions:

Data Infrastructure:
Developing a national platform for anonymized data exchange between government agencies, businesses, and academic institutions. This will accelerate the development of AI algorithms while ensuring data security and confidentiality.

Development of Educational Initiatives:
Introducing mandatory AI modules into university and college programs in Kazakhstan. Plans also include launching an online platform for mass AI education accessible to all.

AI Ethics and Regulation:
Continuing work on creating a regulatory framework that considers international experience and local needs. Special focus will be placed on developing standards for explainable AI and protecting citizens’ rights in the use of technologies.

Expansion of AI Applications:
Developing new directions such as ecology, logistics, and agrotechnology. For example, using AI for environmental monitoring and optimizing agricultural processes.

Cerebra.ai
AstanaHub
Huawei technologies
Awara IT Innovations
BTS Digital
Yandex Qazaqstan
Bizdin AI
Respublika
"Great Altay" SF
Alem School
Most Ventures