Timur Turlov urges businesses not to fear big investments in AI

CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., Timur Turlov, believes that businesses shouldn’t fear the cost of artificial intelligence (AI) development. In the end, it doesn’t matter how much is spent on developing AI technology, as businesses can always generate more revenue once it is implemented, the businessman said at the Digital Almaty 2025 forum.

He emphasized that the key value of technology is not how much is invested in it but how it is applied in practice.

«It doesn’t matter whether you spend tens or hundreds of millions on the first version of your AI. Once the technology is introduced, it will enhance business efficiency and maximize revenue,» Turlov stated.

The businessman also highlighted that although the cost of AI development may not decrease, this will not prevent its widespread adoption. AI technologies are already widely accessible and are significantly boosting productivity across various economic sectors.

«I’m convinced that efficiency gains will be incredibly high. That’s why, in most cases, businesses can afford the higher costs of these technologies and still generate greater value. We need to stop viewing AI purely from an investor’s perspective, aiming for maximum profit. Instead, we should look at it through the eyes of businesses that utilize AI. The costs won’t seem as significant in that case,» the Freedom Holding CEO explained.

According to Minister of Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev, AI is expected to replace human workers and create new jobs in Kazakhstan. Some estimates suggest that 80 to 85 million people worldwide may lose their jobs due to digitalization.