AGP Executive Report

Digital Infrastructure: Damage to a Yandex data center in Russia disrupted ride-hailing and delivery services in Kazakhstan, exposing the country’s dependence on foreign platforms and the difficulty of diversifying its internet links quickly. AI and Universities: Kazakhstan and Belgium agreed to expand joint research, academic mobility and AI cooperation at a forum attended by Tokayev and Belgium’s royals; universities signed more than 20 agreements. Critical Minerals: Kazakhstan invited Belgian firms to help process rare earths and other critical materials at home, but talks remain exploratory, with no new investment deals announced. Research Funding: Kazakhstan plans to allocate 60.4 billion tenge to scientific research in 2027, an increase of 18.4 billion from 2026. AI in Media: A Kazakh vice minister called for labeling AI-generated content, while stressing that journalists remain responsible for what they publish.

AI Research: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde visited Astana’s Alem.ai centre, where a new Kazakh-Belgian lab is developing AI projects in neuroscience, adaptive learning and early Parkinson’s screening. The royal visit also featured a university forum on AI in education and research, with new partnership agreements. Semiconductors: President Tokayev named Belgian research expertise as an opening for joint semiconductor projects, alongside wider cooperation in AI and digital industries. Digital Economy: Kazakhstan is looking to build on its digital public services, energy and data infrastructure to grow homegrown technology businesses and become more than a transit hub for data.

Digital Resilience: Ukrainian strikes on three Yandex data centers in Russia disrupted services used in Kazakhstan and elsewhere in Central Asia, from taxi bookings to business systems. The outages underline how regional services can depend on infrastructure beyond national borders. AI Infrastructure: Kazakhstan is seeking to turn its energy, industrial base and digital networks into an AI advantage. NVIDIA’s Rev Lebaredian pointed to two launched supercomputer clusters and a planned computing facility in Ekibastuz, with capacity of about 300 megawatts and room to expand. Mining-to-AI Shift: SWI Group is redirecting Genesis Digital’s power-connected sites from bitcoin mining to AI computing and putting its last three Kazakh mining operations up for sale. Semiconductors: Kazakhstan and Belgium are also exploring semiconductor manufacturing with Belgian scientists, adding chip production to the countries’ technology agenda.

Research and Chips: Kazakhstan and Belgium plan an AI and mathematics lab at Alem.ai and a rare-metals processing center with East Kazakhstan Technical University. Officials say the work could build local expertise for microchips and space technology, with 12 education agreements expected. Digital Resilience: Ukrainian strikes on Yandex data centers disrupted services in Kazakhstan and neighboring countries, exposing reliance on digital infrastructure hosted abroad. Startups: Kazakhstan-founded 4sell.ai won Baku ID 2026’s regional Startup World Cup final and a place in the San Francisco grand finale. Digital Finance: Bloomberg shared data and technology expertise with state development holding Baiterek at an Astana seminar on attracting investment.

Research & Chips: Kazakhstan is looking to deepen technology ties with Belgium, including semiconductor manufacturing; Nazarbayev University professor Zhumabay Bakenov also proposed joint critical-materials research centers with Belgian experts and student exchange programs. Military AI: Seventy-five Kazakh military personnel are starting an AI course at Maqsut Narikbayev University, learning to build simple digital tools by describing tasks in everyday language. Digital Resilience: Strikes on three Yandex data centers in Russia disrupted taxi, food delivery and other services in Kazakhstan and neighboring countries, exposing the region’s reliance on computing infrastructure abroad. Yandex says Kazakh users’ personal data remains stored locally. Data Center Ambitions: Kazakhstan is pursuing a regional AI and data-processing hub, with a 50-megawatt facility planned as the first stage of a project that could eventually reach one gigawatt; power supply and customer demand remain key challenges. Startup Growth: A new national study maps more than 1,500 startups and tech companies. Venture funding has grown more than 23-fold since 2020 and could exceed $460 million this year.

Data Centers: Kazakhstan could become a regional hub, but a proposed Data Center Valley in Ekibastuz faces a major power-grid challenge. Its first 125-megawatt facility is expected in 2027, with expansion plans reaching one gigawatt. Digital Resilience: Attacks that shut down three Yandex data centers in Russia disrupted services, with outages also reported in Kazakhstan. Student Innovation: An Astana student has built a device to sort spoiled produce from ripe crops; it is being tested for possible agricultural use. Local Research: Kazakhstan has begun developing microchips domestically, while scientists created a PCR test to verify meat authenticity.

Digital Resilience: A drone strike shut down a Yandex data center in Russia, disrupting services including taxi apps in Kazakhstan and exposing the region’s reliance on cross-border digital infrastructure. Agritech: Astana student Kanatbek has built a device that sorts spoiled produce from ripe crops; it is being tested, with hopes for use in agricultural production. Homegrown Tech: Kazakhstan has begun domestic microchip development and aims to build three technology unicorns by 2029, as it pushes to grow its AI and manufacturing sectors. Health Research: A review by researchers from Nazarbayev University and Kazakhstan’s National Research Oncology Center found chronic pain remains common among cancer survivors, though reported rates vary widely. Archaeology: Kazakh and Chinese researchers have launched a joint search for traces of the ancient Yuezhi in Kazakhstan.

AgriTech: An Astana student has built a device that sorts spoiled produce from ripe crops, aiming to reduce manual work. It is being tested, with agricultural use planned. Science and Health: Researchers from Nazarbayev University and Kazakhstan’s National Research Oncology Center reviewed 32 studies and found chronic pain remains common among cancer survivors, though reported rates vary widely. AI and Education: Belgium’s royal visit to Kazakhstan includes a stop at Astana’s AI center, a university forum on AI in research and education, and a telescope donation for student research. Caspian Research: The five Caspian states have agreed to establish a commission to investigate falling sea levels and coordinate responses, with its first meeting planned for 2027.

Caspian Monitoring: Five coastal states agreed to form a commission on the sea’s falling water levels, with coordinated research and AI-powered monitoring among the proposed tools. Its first meeting is due in 2027. AI and Industry: Kazakhstan is aiming to build an AI-powered economy, develop domestic microchips and create three technology unicorns by 2029. Kazakh Research: Scientists have developed a PCR test to authenticate meat, while archaeologists in eastern Kazakhstan uncovered a sixth- or seventh-century fortified settlement and a rare ceramic bird figurine.

Archaeology: Researchers in eastern Kazakhstan uncovered a fortified settlement dating to the sixth or seventh century, with fire-damaged defenses and a rare ceramic bird figurine. AI and Industry: Kazakhstan is pursuing an AI-powered economy and manufacturing sector, has launched domestic microchip development and aims to create three technology unicorns by 2029. Scientists also developed a PCR test to verify meat authenticity. Regional Technology: Tokayev proposed a Central Asian AI partnership and a declaration on responsible AI use. Kazakhstan is also working with international partners on digital infrastructure for AI. Caspian Research: As water levels fall, Kazakhstan is calling for shared monitoring and scientific cooperation; Russia has proposed an AI-powered digital twin to model changes in the sea.

Regional AI Push: At the Avaza summit, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed a Central Asian AI partnership and a declaration on responsible AI with Azerbaijan. He also suggested hosting a CIS AI forum in Astana in 2027. Smart Services: Astana’s iKOMEK platform connects about 100 public agencies and handles more than 2.5 million requests a year; the city is upgrading it to iKOMEK 2.0. Building Local Tech: Kazakhstan is stepping up plans for domestic chip development and aims to produce three technology unicorns by 2029. A Chinese university campus in Almaty has trained nearly 300 students, including AI majors on a dual-degree programme. Space Cooperation: Kazakhstan joined Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan in a framework agreement to expand cooperation on satellites, space research and specialist training, with a joint satellite launch planned for 2027.

AI Strategy: Kazakhstan proposed a regional declaration on responsible AI and urged Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan to share research and expertise. The country is also pushing AI into manufacturing and aims to create three technology unicorns by 2029. Digital Finance: The National Bank and Tether will study a tenge-backed stablecoin and tokenized assets; the agreement is exploratory, not a launch decision. Local Research: Kazakh scientists developed a PCR test to identify meat species and detect adulteration, while the country is moving toward domestic microchip development. Archaeology: Researchers identified Kalzhir, a major ancient settlement in East Kazakhstan dating to the 6th–7th centuries, with finds including defensive structures, grains and a rare ceramic bird figurine.

AI Economy: Kazakhstan is pitching AI as a tool for manufacturing and everyday work, building on IT exports worth more than €860 million last year. Digital Infrastructure: A proposed Digital Silk Road would link data centers, satellites and a Trans-Caspian fiber cable; Russia is also exploring AI data centers in Kazakhstan, though no sites have been agreed. Regional AI Rules: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed a declaration on responsible AI use by Central Asian states and Azerbaijan. Local Technology: Kazakhstan has begun domestic microchip development, while university researchers created a PCR test to identify meat species and detect adulteration. Digital Finance: The National Bank and Tether will study a tenge-linked stablecoin and asset tokenization, with a possible pilot in Alatau; no launch decision has been made. Energy Security: AI is being used to help detect and counter drone threats to power facilities.

AI Infrastructure: Kazakhstan and international technology partners plan a “Digital Silk Road” linking data centers, satellites, space-based computing and the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic cable, with possible work in robotics and industrial AI. Online Safety: Proposed rules would restrict social media sign-ups for under-16s, with age checks potentially using AI or biometrics; officials say verification should protect personal data. Environmental Science: Kazakhstan says North Aral Sea area has grown 36% in 20 years and plans to rebuild the Kokaral Dam; it is also developing research and monitoring measures for the shrinking Caspian. Digital Finance: Tether and Kazakhstan’s central bank will study a possible tenge-backed stablecoin pilot and tokenized assets; no launch has been approved. Research and Safety: A new national center, opened with U.S. support, will monitor radiation and coordinate nuclear emergency responses. A Greek-built miniature satellite has also reached orbit for a school in Astana.

Digital Finance: Tether has signed an agreement with Kazakhstan’s National Bank and Alatau City Authority to explore a tenge-backed stablecoin and tokenized assets. Nuclear Safety: A new center, opened with U.S. support, will track radiation data and coordinate responses to nuclear and radiological emergencies. Caspian Watch: A newly exposed island highlights the sea’s retreat: water levels in Kazakhstan’s sector have fallen nearly 2.5 metres in about 30 years. Kazakhstan is developing a regional protection program, while Japan is funding Caspian monitoring and the country plans six Earth-observation satellites. Industrial Tech: Kazakhstan aims to introduce digital twins at 60% of major enterprises by 2028, including in the oil sector, and plans to launch a Trans-Caspian fibre-optic link this October. Materials Research: Scientists at the Zh. Abishev Institute are developing ways to make ferrotitanium from domestic raw materials for steel production.

Plague Scare & Border Response: A Russian lab worker’s death in Irkutsk sparked global alarm over possible pneumonic plague, but Russia and WHO say there’s no confirmed outbreak or sustained person-to-person spread; still, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan tightened health checks at borders and airports after quarantine measures for about 200 contacts. AI Governance in the Region: Bangladesh? (No) ICT minister Faqir Mahbub Anam urged trust-building and international cooperation for responsible AI in public services at an interregional conference in Istanbul. Nvidia Power Shift: Nvidia’s Nico Capraz, tied to Jensen Huang’s family circle, is highlighted as a key power broker in AI infrastructure deals. Kazakhstan Space & Earth Observation: Kazakhstan plans six new Earth observation satellites (three high- and three medium-resolution) to expand monitoring and support exports. Digital Twins for Oil: Kazakhstan’s energy sector is scaling digital twins to boost output and cut fuel use, including pilots at KazMunayGas fields. Oman–Kazakhstan Deal Push: Sultan Haitham’s first state visit to Astana produced agreements and MoUs spanning energy, transport, logistics, AI, and investment, with talk of an Oman-to-Indian Ocean trade corridor.