Concept for Artificial Intelligence Development for 2024-2029 adopted by Government
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At the Government session chaired by Olzhas Bektenov, a strategic document for the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies in various areas of the economy was adopted, primeminister.kz reports.
Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayassat Nurbek and Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev reported on the development of AI in Kazakhstan and legal regulation of the digital environment. The development of the Concept on the development of artificial intelligence is being implemented on the instructions of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, announced at an extended Government session on 7 February this year.
According to economists' calculations, the use of artificial intelligence can increase global GDP by 14% by 2030. Today, Kazakhstan is already implementing a set of measures to collect data from government agencies in Smart Data Ukimet, to which 93 information bases are connected. Infrastructure development includes the placement of a supercomputer in the country, the construction of data processing centres, the creation of a national AI platform and the development of fibre-optic communications. In addition, a number of educational and acceleration programmes are planned for the growth of human capital. Currently, 17 universities have already introduced 15 AI specialisations. Disciplines in these specialities are studied by 2,196 students.
At the same time, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education is working on the creation of a modern Large Language Model (LLM) for the development of cultural and linguistic heritage. To date, a consortium of several educational organisations has been created including the Institute of Information and Computing Technologies, Satpayev University, Nazarbayev University, the Shayakhmetov National Research Centre "Til-Kazyna", the Baitursynov Institute of Linguistics and KazNU. Specialists have collected about 6 billion word usage, LLM model training is carried out using a supercomputer through cloud solutions.
Prime Minister stressed that the use of artificial intelligence technologies can automate routine tasks. In particular, a number of production processes, calculations of risks in the healthcare sector, forecasting emergencies, early detection of threats and cyberattacks. Priority sectors of the economy for the introduction of AI have been noted, including state administration, natural monopoly entities in the oil and gas, mining, energy, transport, logistics, water supply and agricultural sectors.
By 2029, the number of products using artificial intelligence should grow 5 times. Accordingly, the share of educational programmes or disciplines on artificial intelligence should increase. We need qualified specialists in this field. It is important to take into account the opportunities and needs of domestic companies, which will create a multiplier effect on the economy as a whole," Olzhas Bektenov said.
Head of the Government instructed the Ministry of Digital Development together with akimats to start implementing the Concept. It is especially important to consider the possibility of using the computing power of the supercomputer by business and academia. In this regard, the Ministry of Finance has been tasked with simplifying the procedure for leasing information and communication infrastructure facilities.
The Ministry of Science has been instructed to complete the data collection for KazLLM by the end of this year by the end of the year to train the first large language model to be carried out in the 3rd quarter.
Olzhas Bektenov noted the need to form on the basis of the National Centre for AI "an ecosystem for the involvement of young people, development of human capital and promotion of the culture of artificial intelligence". The Ministry of Digital Development together with the Ministries of Science, Education, Labour has been assigned the task to form a programme to annually increase the number of trained specialists, regional competence centres and programming schools.
In addition, Olzhas Bektenov instructed the Ministry of Justice to intensify work on improving the legislative framework to regulate the sphere of application of artificial intelligence.
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Localisation in machine building: John Deere launches production of agricultural machinery in Kostanay
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As part of the implementation of the Head of State's instruction to diversify the economy, the Government is prioritising support for domestic manufacturers. A big stimulus for the development of the machine building industry was the refusal last year to subsidise imported tractors and combines in favour of support for Kazakhstani production, which promoted localisation. An example of this is the launch of production of self-propelled, trailed and mounted equipment of the American company John Deere on the basis of the Localisation Centre in the city of Kostanai. This was an important step in the development of domestic machine building and introduction of advanced technologies in the agricultural sector of Kazakhstan, primeminister.kz reports.
John Deere is a world leader in the production of agricultural machinery, and localisation of its products in Kazakhstan will be an important step in the development of the industry. The production will be launched on the basis of the Localisation Centre of the Agromash plant, which is the largest localised industrial site in the country in the field of agricultural machinery, providing a high level of production and technical support.
The launch of localised John Deere production will accelerate the pace of renewal of the agricultural machinery fleet by opening new opportunities for farmers in Kazakhstan, including expansion of the range of locally adapted tractors and combines, as well as access to their purchase through state support measures. It is important to note that Kazakhstani agricultural producers can purchase domestically produced machinery on affordable terms. On the instructions of the President, the country has launched a programme of preferential leasing of domestically produced agricultural machinery at 5% per annum, for which 120 billion tenge has been allocated. This year 3.2 thousand Kazakhstani farmers will have an opportunity to renew their vehicle fleets under the programme of preferential leasing.
Agromash plant president Dinara Shukizhanova said that due to the political and economic reforms carried out in the country, it became possible to create industrial co-operation with the advanced American brand John Deere. As a result of the implementation of such high-tech projects in the country, not only new jobs will be created, but also the main emphasis is placed on the introduction of innovative technologies, training of highly qualified personnel with engineering thinking.
The official representative of John Deere brand in Kazakhstan is Eurasia Group. Within the framework of the project, they will continue to sell agricultural machinery, but already produced in Kazakhstan, as well as providing services and introducing digital solutions in the agricultural sector of Kazakhstan. In addition, the implementation of the project implies investment of additional resources in the development of the economy, education, including training of service and profile specialists in agriculture: agronomists, engineers, mechanisers and IT-cadres. In the next 5 years, three modern service centres will be built, which will become key platforms for the introduction of digital technologies and improving the efficiency of the country's agro-industrial complex.
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Olzhas Bektenov holds meeting on digital tenge implementation and mechanisms of control over targeted use of budget funds
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Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting on the implementation of the instructions of the Head of State on the digital transformation of the economy, given at an enlarged Government session in February 2024, primeminister.kz reports.
The current situation and further plans for the development of the National Digital Financial Infrastructure, implementation of projects aimed at ensuring traceability and improving the efficiency of budget spending through digital tenge were considered. With the participation of Timur Suleimenov, Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan, Askhat Zhumagali, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency, discussed measures to ensure the openness of the financial ecosystem, consumer protection, and combating fraudulent transactions.
Approaches to the development of key components of the financial infrastructure - interbank payment card system, Open API, Anti-Fraud Centre, digital tenge were presented by Binur Zhalenov, Advisor to the Chairman of the National Bank. Today the Bank's systems process 90% of the total payment turnover in the country and about 30 million requests for digital biometric identification. The volume of illegal transactions timely blocked by the Anti-Fraud Centre amounted to 2 billion tenge, and over 36 thousand such incidents were detected. 108 organisations, including all second-tier banks, large payment organisations and MFIs, are connected to the technological platform. Also in July this year, together with the second-tier banks it is planned to launch the service of interbank payments by QR.
The progress of the pilot project with the use of digital tenge, launched in 2024 for the purpose of traceability of public funds spending was discussed.
Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency Askhat Zhumagali said that the project is being tested in the most corruption-prone areas. A total of about 250 billion tenge has been issued so far. The developers envisage linking unique digital tags to each monetary unit, which allows you to track their use at all stages from allocation to full utilisation of funds. The effectiveness of this method in the agro-industrial complex was considered on the example of the implementation of the programme ‘Auyl Amanaty’ with the participation of farms in Akmola region. Specially programmed digital tenges were used for crediting the purchase of farm animals by farmers and ensured full transparency of the process, excluding the possibility of fictitious transactions.
Within the framework of the approved Road Map, the project implementation this year will continue with the construction of railways and motorways in Karaganda, Pavlodar and Atyrau regions. It should be noted that domestic entrepreneurs attend the approbation voluntarily, which is evidence of their commitment to the Open Book principle of doing business.
In addition, a digital tenge-based pilot project digital VAT has been launched to improve the efficiency of administration and speed up the VAT refund procedure.
The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of further scaling of the National Digital Financial Infrastructure, as well as wider use of the digital tenge, which will provide serious budget savings.
As noted by the Head of State, the possibility of marking and colouring money with the help of digital tenge may become key for controlling the spending of budgetary funds.
In general, a lot of work is being done by the National Bank together with other interested government agencies on digital transformation of the financial system. As for the digital tenge as the main topic of discussion, I support all your endeavours. We should pay mandatory attention to the fact that the introduction of the digital tenge will help to re-engineer the processes of finance taking into account the new realities. Business processes must change and become more transparent. Entrepreneurs should be guided by the following postulate: if you work with budget money, you should disclose where you spend it, show the whole chain of suppliers, contractors and subcontractors. It is necessary to expand the piloting of digital tenge," Olzhas Bektenov emphasised.
Following the meeting, the Ministries of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace, Finance, Industry and Construction, National Economy will work out amendments to the legislation regulating the use of new digital instruments, as well as the development of a methodology for programming e-money.
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President Tokayev instructs to attract investors in geological exploration
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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev today received Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov, Kazinform News Agency cites Akorda.
During the meeting on Wednesday afternoon, President Tokayev was briefed about the current state of the country’s fuel and energy industry, the implementation of key projects and development plans.
According to the press service of Akorda, the Kazakh President was informed about the stable operation of the oil refineries with total refining capacity of 17.6 million tons for 2025. Akkenzhenov also reported on the 2040 Oil Refining Industry Development Concept that is under development.
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In conclusion, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev set a number of instructions aimed for continued development of the fuel and energy industry. The Head of State stressed the importance of timely and quality implementation of the infrastructure projects planned in oil and gas, petrochemical and electricity sectors.
President Tokayev highlighted the country’s energy security and sustainable energy supply as well as instructed to take comprehensive steps towards improving the investment climate and attracting strategic partners in geological exploration.
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Kazakh President sets specific tasks for Industry Ministry
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The Head of State received Kazakh Industry and Construction Minister Yerssaiyn Nagaspayev, Kazinform News Agency reports quoting the Akorda press service.
The latter reported on the results of the Ministry’s activities in 2024 and plans for the period ahead.
According to the Minister, the industry saw the highest growth in capital investments and exports of processed goods.
He also reported on the work in the sphere of geology and digitalization, highlighting that the integrated subsoil use platform was launched and that town planning projects were digitized.
Following the meeting, the President set priority tasks such as developing the integrated register of domestic manufacturers and speeding up the attraction of investors, ensuring the planned housing construction, providing the population with water supply, and digitizing processes in the sphere of construction and utilities.
The Head of State stressed the need to strictly monitor the support of domestic goods producers.
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Head of socioeconomic policy department of Kazakh Presidential Administration named
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The Head of State decreed to relieve Aidyn Kulsseitov of his duties as the head of the socioeconomic policy department of the Presidential Administration of Kazakhstan, Kazinform News Agency reports citing the Akorda press service.
The Head of State decreed to appoint Rakhymzhan Yernazar as the head of the socioeconomic policy department of the Presidential Administration of Kazakhstan, it said in a statement.
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