Kazakhstan has unveiled a sweeping national roadmap to transform itself into a premier digital hub by 2029, placing artificial intelligence at the center of its economic and social development. The “Digital Qazaqstan” initiative seeks to transition the nation from a service-based digital model to a “platform state” where AI drives productivity across all sectors. According to the strategy, signed by President Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev on June 9, the government expects these AI-driven efficiencies to contribute an additional 1.5 percentage points to the annual GDP growth rate by the end of the decade.
Economic and industrial overhaul
The plan outlines a massive investment requirement, estimated between $10.5 billion and $16.5 billion over the next three years, to modernize infrastructure and human capital. Financing blends state budget allocations with public‑private partnerships, off‑take contracts, venture capital and grant funding. To fuel this growth, Kazakhstan is developing a “Data Center Valley” and a national “AI Hub” with a target capacity of one gigawatt to support large-scale model training.
The strategy emphasizes “invisible” governance, particularly in tax administration, where AI will automatically calculate obligations and identify risks, reducing the burden on businesses. In the industrial sector, the government aims to implement “digital twins” for 60% of large enterprises and 70% of fuel and energy assets to optimize production and predict maintenance needs.
Human-centric digital life
A cornerstone of the strategy is the “human-centric” model, which tracks a citizen’s lifecycle from early education to healthcare. In education, the “AI-SANA” program will be used to ensure that 80% of graduates possess basic AI competencies, while specialized engineering universities will become hubs for applied robotics.
The healthcare system is slated for a similar radical shift toward a “self-service” and preventive model. By 2029, the strategy targets a reality where 80% of clinical decisions are supported by AI, and 95% of medical organizations are integrated into a unified digital network for real-time data exchange.
The new digital frontier
Kazakhstan is also moving to secure its technological sovereignty by developing indigenous large language models, such as “KazLLM” and “AlemLLM,” to ensure AI services are available in the Kazakh language. Beyond software development, the roadmap prioritizes building an export-oriented robotics industry through regulatory incentives, workforce training, and the creation of laboratories and innovation ecosystems.
The strategy also calls for the implementation of the national “Made in Qazaqstan” satellite program. Officials say the program will support the development of Kazakhstan’s orbital infrastructure and boost exports of space-related services.
Notably, authorities are developing a special pilot jurisdiction within Alatau City, known as CryptoCity, to test new regulatory models and technological solutions for digital assets.
Streamlining the state
To eliminate bureaucratic friction, the strategy mandates a shift toward “machine-readable law,” where regulations are designed to be automatically integrated into digital platforms. The government aims to reduce the time spent on interagency interactions by half and cut the operational load on civil servants by 30% through AI automation. Ultimately, the strategy envisions a compact, high-performance state apparatus that functions as a seamless partner to citizens and businesses alike.
