Kazakhtelecom, Kazakhstan’s largest telecommunications operator and part of the Samruk-Kazyna sovereign wealth fund, plans to replace some employees with artificial intelligence as early as 2026.
The changes will primarily affect call center staff, whose functions will be partially automated, CEO Bagdat Mussin said during a meeting of Samruk-Kazyna’s public council, according to Bes.media.
Automation to replace call center roles
Mussin said AI systems could replace more than half of the company’s call center operators — about 230 positions. The project is expected to be implemented this year.
«We’re creating AI agents for legal, HR and accounting functions,» Mussin said.
He added that the company is developing these solutions not only for internal use but also for other entities within the Samruk-Kazyna group.
Broader workforce reductions
During the public council meeting, it was also disclosed that Kazakhtelecom plans to cut more than 500 jobs. Mussin said the company, as a commercial enterprise, is focused on increasing asset value and improving efficiency.
Samruk-Kazyna officials said automation could lead to structural unemployment but is also expected to create demand for new types of specialists.
