According to Kazakhstan Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) may significantly increase network load and even have negative ecological consequences.
«I’d like to draw attention to some aspects of AI that raise justified concerns among many people. I’m talking about AI’s influence on the labor market and the need to retrain our specialists; ethical issues of using AI, including manipulation of public opinion and other risks; environmental consequences and the load on the power grid; providing equal access to AI for different countries and social groups, as well as mechanisms for controlling the development of AI technologies,» he said at the Digital Almaty 2025 forum.
Speaking of risks related to AI, Bektenov expressed hope that the gathering participants would identify practical solutions to cope with the aforementioned challenges. This year, Kazakhstan may face an energy deficit of 5.7 billion kilowatt-hours, which is 72.7% lower than the previous forecast, as reported in a projected energy balance for 2025 to 2031. Due to this projected energy deficit, the Ministry of Energy and the cabinet propose constructing several nuclear power plants at once.
He noted that everyone should be able to rapidly adapt to the changing digital world these days. For instance, the International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates that AI’s contribution to the global economy will reach nearly $20 trillion by 2030.
«AI is capable of promoting annual GDP growth by 2% to 3%. We must not miss this opportunity to enhance our economies,» he said.
As the prime minister noted, AI’s spread is driven by the development of human capital, digital infrastructure, access to technologies and the formation of an institutional base for further AI development. Bektenov also emphasized that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had initiated the creation of a competence ecosystem based on the International Artificial Intelligence Center Alem.ai, which will open later this year in Astana.
«This will allow us to bring together leading IT companies, research labs and educational programs in one place for joint work on innovative solutions. We suggest that Eurasian Economic Union member states combine their efforts to implement joint projects in the AI field based on the Alem.ai center,» he said.
Bektenov added that it is important to take a comprehensive approach to training not only IT specialists but those who use AI in daily life.
«This is why we are pursuing an ambitious goal — to train at least one million people who will be able to work with AI within the next five years,» Bektenov said.
Last year, Tomorrow School, an AI school, was opened in Kazakhstan in collaboration with Nicolas Sadirac, a prominent French teacher. The school’s concept implies no teachers, as all new skills will be taught by AI. The school relies on new educational approaches, including advanced game-based methods. Appealing to the audience, Bektenov said that Kazakhstan is ready to share its experience with anyone interested.
