Key Takeaways
- President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev identified artificial intelligence (AI) as a critical driver of Kazakhstan’s competitiveness in the digital era.
- The 2026 UN Industrial Development Report lists AI among five transformational megatrends reshaping the global economy, with AI‑related patent filings tripling over the past five years.
- Kazakhstan’s 2029 Digital Kazakhstan strategy aims to build a comprehensive national AI ecosystem that delivers measurable economic results.
- Industrial output reached nearly 46 trillion tenge in the first eight months of the year, while manufacturing grew by 8.4 % year‑on‑year, underscoring the need for productivity‑boosting tools like AI.
- Tokayev stressed that AI’s true value lies in augmenting human capabilities—improving decision‑making, raising labor productivity, and providing real‑time analytics for management.
- Freedom Holding Corp. CEO Timur Turlov highlighted that AI agents embedded in digital ecosystems will soon give ordinary users the personal‑assistant experience once reserved for top executives.
President Tokayev Emphasizes AI as a Cornerstone of National Competitiveness
In his recent address, President Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev underscored that artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming one of the key drivers of competitiveness in the new digital era. He warned that the global race for advantage is no longer confined to natural resources, capital, or market access; instead, nations must also vie for the speed at which they can improve production efficiency. “Our main objective is to boost labor productivity, accelerate technological modernization and expand the production of high value‑added goods,” Tokayev declared, adding that “artificial intelligence must become one of the key tools in this effort.” The statement frames AI not as a futuristic novelty but as an immediate lever for economic transformation.
UN Report Highlights AI’s Global Impact and Patent Surge
Tokayev backed his argument with data from the 2026 UN Industrial Development Report, which identifies AI as one of five transformational megatrends reshaping the world economy. He noted a striking trend: “Over the past five years, the share of AI‑related patents in total patent applications has roughly tripled.” This surge in patenting activity signals a fundamental technological shift, indicating that companies and governments worldwide are investing heavily in AI‑centric innovations. For Kazakhstan, the implication is clear—failing to keep pace with this patent‑driven momentum could leave the country lagging behind in the global value chain.
Digital Kazakhstan 2029 Strategy Calls for a National AI Ecosystem
To translate these global trends into domestic action, the President pointed to the 2029 Digital Kazakhstan strategy, which envisages building a comprehensive national AI ecosystem designed to deliver tangible economic results. The strategy outlines coordinated investments in research institutions, startup incubators, and public‑private partnerships aimed at embedding AI across sectors such as mining, agriculture, and manufacturing. By fostering a homegrown AI talent pool and creating regulatory sandboxes for experimentation, Kazakhstan hopes to move beyond mere adoption of foreign AI solutions toward developing indigenous technologies that address local challenges.
Recent Industrial Performance Shows Growth but Calls for Productivity Gains
Tokayev provided a snapshot of the country’s current industrial landscape, stating that “over the first eight months of this year, industrial output reached nearly 46 trillion tenge. The manufacturing industry grew by 8.4 % compared to the same period last year.” While these figures reflect a healthy expansion, the President cautioned that growth in volume alone is insufficient for long‑term prosperity. He argued that to sustain strong economic growth, Kazakhstan must simultaneously improve labor productivity, modernize its industrial base, and increase the share of high‑value‑added goods—areas where AI can play a decisive role.
AI as a Force Multiplier for Human Capabilities
Elaborating on the functional benefits of AI, Tokayev asserted that “the true value of AI lies in enhancing human capabilities.” He explained that AI enables engineers to make more accurate decisions, boosts labor productivity, and supplies management with real‑time analytical information for prompt, grounded decision‑making. This vision positions AI not as a replacement for workers but as a tool that augments expertise, reduces repetitive tasks, and frees up human talent for higher‑order problem‑solving. By integrating AI into workflows, Kazakh enterprises can achieve faster iteration cycles, lower defect rates, and more responsive supply chains.
Industry Leaders Echo the Vision of AI‑Powered Personal Assistance
The President’s remarks were echoed by private‑sector leaders at the AI & Digital Bridge 2026 forum in Astana. Freedom Holding Corp. CEO Timur Turlov observed that “AI agents built into digital ecosystems will give ordinary users the kind of personal assistant once reserved for top executives.” Turlov’s comment highlights a democratizing effect of AI: sophisticated decision‑support tools, predictive analytics, and workflow automation are becoming accessible to frontline employees and small‑business owners, not just corporate elites. This widening access could accelerate grassroots innovation and improve service delivery across the economy.
Policy Implications and the Path Forward
Taken together, the statements from Tokayev and Turlov sketch a clear policy roadmap for Kazakhstan. First, the state must continue to fund AI research and development while creating incentives for companies to pilot AI‑driven projects. Second, education and vocational training programs need to be revised to equip workers with data literacy, machine‑learning basics, and AI‑ethics awareness. Third, regulatory frameworks should balance innovation with safeguards—ensuring data privacy, algorithmic transparency, and accountability. Finally, fostering international collaboration, such as joint research initiatives with AI‑leading nations, can help Kazakhstan absorb best practices and avoid reinventing the wheel.
Conclusion: AI as a Strategic Imperative for Kazakhstan’s Future
In sum, President Tokayev’s address frames artificial intelligence as a strategic imperative that can unlock higher productivity, modernize industry, and expand high‑value‑added production. Backed by UN data showing a tripling of AI‑related patent filings and buoyed by solid industrial growth figures, the call to action is both timely and evidence‑based. By executing the 2029 Digital Kazakhstan strategy, nurturing a domestic AI ecosystem, and heeding the insights of industry leaders like Timur Turlov, Kazakhstan stands poised to transform its economic trajectory and secure a competitive place in the rapidly evolving digital global economy.
https://qazinform.com/news/tokayev-artificial-intelligence-must-become-a-key-tool-for-industrial-modernization-5552c8