Abdulhamid Hamid Al-Kba

by: Abdulhamid Hamid Al-Kba

Amid the global digital revolution, Kazakhstan is advancing confidently toward a smart future through the "AI-Sana" program—an ambitious initiative launched on December 11, 2024, during the AI Demo Day at Astana Hub, under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.The name "AI-Sana," meaning "consciousness," "thought," or "intelligence" in Kazakh, carries profound connotations reflecting a focus on developing awareness and intellect in the field of artificial intelligence. This name embodies the national vision to revitalize the economy and establish Kazakhstan as a regional innovation hub.This program is not merely a training initiative but a comprehensive national strategy aimed at building an "AI nation," as described by President Tokayev, by empowering youth, accelerating startups, and integrating technology into vital sectors such as energy, agriculture, water management, and healthcare.The Significance of the AI-Sana Program: A Lever for the Knowledge EconomyMeeting the Needs of the Future EconomyIn a world racing toward artificial intelligence, "AI-Sana" emerges as a critical response to Kazakhstan's economic challenges, which have traditionally relied on oil and minerals (60% of revenues).Kazakhstan boasts 25,500 scientists, 46% of whom are under 40, and 425 research organizations, forming a strong foundation for innovation.However, the gap between scientific research and practical application has remained a challenge. Thus, "AI-Sana" works to bridge this gap by training a new generation and accelerating startups to develop AI solutions in key sectors.For example, AI applications can increase agricultural productivity by 15-20% through environmental data analysis or reduce energy costs via predictive maintenance, saving millions of dollars annually.Empowering Youth and Creating Jobs"AI-Sana" addresses youth unemployment—where young people constitute half of the scientific workforce—by training 650,000 students in 2025, with a second phase involving 100,000 students in collaboration with Stanford University experts.The program aims to form 1,000-1,500 AI startup teams by the end of the year, creating thousands of high-quality jobs and expected to contribute $5 billion to digital service exports by 2029.Supporting Sustainable Development"AI-Sana" aligns with sustainable development goals, particularly in enhancing education and innovation, and supports Kazakhstan's Vision 2050 to join the world's top 30 economies.By producing knowledge-intensive products, the program reduces oil dependency and tackles regional challenges like water scarcity and climate change, making it a driver of inclusive development.The Strategic Role: An Ecosystem for Knowledge and Innovation"AI-Sana" falls under the 2024-2029 Artificial Intelligence Development Concept, which classifies AI as a decisive force in the economy and governance. The program builds an integrated ecosystem combining leading universities (27 institutions such as Satbayev University, Zhetysu University, and Karaganda Industrial University), research centers, industry partners (e.g., Samruk Kazyna), and government agencies. It is implemented in three phases: intensive training, entrepreneurial competency development, and startup acceleration (aiming to create 1,500 projects) through incubators like Astana Hub.The program is backed by the "Science andy Technology Policy" law, which defines Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) to support projects from idea to market, with tax incentives and co-financing (252.5 billion tenge in 2025, or $514.9 million), and increasing science spending to 1% of GDP by 2029.Regionally, the program extends to local areas through authorities' powers since January 2025, promoting balanced development.Internationally, "AI-Sana" collaborates with partners like NVIDIA to build GPU data centers for training large AI models, Huawei, and educational platforms like Coursera, in addition to developing the KazLLM model (148 billion tokens, launched in December 2024) by the Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) at Nazarbayev University.This open-source large language model (LLM), trained on over 100u billion tokens (text data units including words or parts thereof), supports the Kazakh language and represents a crucial step toward technological independence. It also includes collaboration with Saudi Arabia to launch a $100 million joint investment fund supporting DeepTech startups, facilitating entry into Middle East and North African markets.The program coordinates with the AI Development Council (established in 2025) to integrate AI into the private sector, supported by a central digital platform thatu reduces bureaucratic procedures by 50% via "Smart Data Ukimet."Tangible Progress in 2025Since its launch in December 2024, "AI-Sana" has achieved remarkable milestones in less than a year. According to President Tokayev's report at the AI Development Council meeting (October 2025), over 440,000 students received AI certifications, compared to 400,000 in other programs like AI-Qyzmet and AI-People. Pilot programs in national universities resulted in the creation of 10 AI labs, 5 workshops, and 3 startups in 2024-2025, with funding for 208 commercialization projects generating up to 118.4 billion tenge in revenue.Exclusively, in March 2025, a panel session at AlmatyFair.ai was held, where Deputy Minister Dinara Shcheglova presented the program's achievements in integrating AI into education, with Korkyt Ata University as a "lead university" training 100,000 students in the second phase in collaboration with Stanford University.The Mining Institute at Satbayev University also contributedu to exporting selenium technology with 1.3 billion tenge in revenue, using AI to increase added value. In 2025, 1,400 scientists underwent international training, and 2,300 scientific projects were funded, with local companies achieving 2-3% higher programming productivity compared to global standards, according to a Stanford study. These achievements, supported by a central digital platform launched in March 2025, led to the automation of 5,000 annual grant applications, reflecting the program's efficiency in building human capacities.The Future of AI-Sana: Ambitious Horizons Toward 2029"AI-Sana" is expected to expand massively, with the launch of the AI-Corporate program by the end of 2025 for major state-owned companies like Samruk Kazyna, and the establishment of a specialized AI research university by 2026, as announced by President Tokayev at the Council meeting. During 2025-2026, 17 regional scientific centers will be launched, focusing on digital infrastructure such as NVIDIA centers and the international Alem AI.Internationally, partnerships with Saudi Arabia and others will be completed for technology transfer, attracting up to $1 billion in investments through venture funds.By 2029, the program aims to train 100,000 IT specialists, produce advanced language models, and increase AI's share of GDP to 1%. AI systems will be applied to automate government services, and ethical legislation will be developed to address AI risks, ensuring sustainable development. This future relies on an open science model that solves industrial challenges and boosts exports.AI-Sana: The Innovation Revolution Redrawing Kazakhstan's Economic MapThe "AI-Sana" program is not just a transitional step; it is a true revolution transforming Kazakhstan from a traditional economy into a global AI powerhouse, backed by strong political will and strategic international partnerships. With its importance in empowering youth and enhancing regional competitiveness, its role in linking science to industry, its tangible achievements producing thousands of specialists and hundreds of projects, and its ambitious horizons toward 2029, "AI-Sana" becomes a symbol of sustainable prosperity and bold innovation. In a world changing at lightning speed, this program proves that Kazakhstan is not merely a participant in the digital race but a leader—ready to guide a new generation toward unlimited horizons, where artificial intelligence is not just a tool but the beating heart of the nation's economic and social pulse.