Kazakhstan holds Digital Bridge 2025 under the theme “Generative Nation”

Overview

On October 2–4, Kazakhstan held Digital Bridge 2025 in Astana under the theme “Generative Nation”. The event reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s ambition to position itself as a producer of cutting-edge digital and AI innovations.

The event brought together leaders including President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok, Telegram founder Pavel Durov, Sinovation Ventures and 01.ai CEO Kai-Fu Lee, Google’s Peter Norvig, Stanford professor Ilya Strebulaev, and G42 International CEO Mansoor Al Mansoori.

Among the major announcements were the opening of Telegram’s AI lab at the new Alem.ai Center, the unveiling of SKAI, the world’s first AI-powered independent board member with voting rights, the launch of Kazakhstan’s first AI research university, and the development of a second national supercomputer cluster.

With over 1,000 speakers, 500 startups, and nearly 500 investors, Digital Bridge 2025 highlights Kazakhstan’s drive to become a global hub for artificial intelligence and digital transformation.

Key Points from President Tokayev’s Speech

• AI for Peaceful Purposes
  • Tokayev drew a parallel with Kazakhstan’s historic renunciation of nuclear weapons, declaring that artificial intelligence must be developed and applied only for peaceful ends.
  • He rejected its use in the military sphere, in cyberattacks, or in any projects that could undermine international security and stability.
• Global AI Governance
  • Kazakhstan is ready to contribute to a UN-led Global Dialogue on AI Governance, initiated under the UN’s auspices.
  • The country also supports international proposalssuch as China’s initiative to create a Global Organization for AI Cooperation, stressing the importance of inclusive, multilateral approaches.
• National Digital Ambitions
  • Tokayev set a clear national goal: Kazakhstan must become a fully digital state within three years.
  • This requires the creation of a comprehensive digital ecosystem that will transform public administration, business regulation, and the state–citizen relationship.
  • To drive this process, Kazakhstan has created a new Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, designated as the main driver of digitalization and AI adoption across all spheres.
• New Institutions and Infrastructure
  • Tokayev announced a historic decision toestablish Kazakhstan’s first research university dedicated to artificial intelligence, focused on training a new generation of AI specialists.
  • He also announced the opening of the ai International Center for Artificial Intelligence, describing it as a “factory of ideas and innovations,” designed to serve as a global hub for ethical and effective AI applications.
  • A second national supercomputer clusteris planned to strengthen Kazakhstan’s technological base and support advanced AI solutions.
  • He highlighted the creation of Alem LLM, Kazakhstan’s own large language model, already applied in pilot projects such as a virtual AI-powered board member at Samruk-Kazyna.
• Legal and Regulatory Framework
  • Tokayev underlined that Kazakhstan is building the legal foundation for a sustainable digital ecosystem.
  • The law “On Artificial Intelligence”has been passed in its second reading by the Mazhilis, earning praise from international experts.
  • Work is underway on a comprehensive Digital Code, which will set out rules for digitization across the economy, healthcare, education, and public services. Tokayev cautioned this must not be rushed, given its complexity and significance.
• Digital Transformation of Governance
  • Kazakhstan is moving to a “digital by default” approach, where every new public service will be designed in digital format from the outset.
  • Introduced the “once-only principle”: data submitted once by citizens or businesses will not be repeatedly requested by government agencies.
  • All regulatory acts affecting citizen–state interaction will undergo mandatory digital review before approval, aimed at cutting bureaucracy and building public trust.
• Ethics and Human Dimension
  • Tokayev insisted that AI development must be guided by ethics and inclusivity, not just technical progress.
  • He called for the involvement of philosophers, sociologists, and legal scholars alongside engineers to ensure AI respects cultural diversity, identity, and moral values.
  • Technologies must not deepen inequality or become tools of manipulation; AI should serve all people equally, not only privileged groups.
  • He emphasized human primacy: while AI can analyze and predict, it cannot dream or empathize. Human creativity and moral judgment must remain at the forefront.
• Future of Digital Bridge
  • Tokayev proposed that starting next year, the forum should be rebranded as “AI Bridge”to reflect its growing focus on artificial intelligence.
  • While adopting this new orientation, the platform will continue its mission as a link between technology giants, startups, academia, business, governments, and citizens, fostering international cooperation in digital transformation.

Key Announcements, Initiatives, and Proposals at Digital Bridge 2025

• Telegram AI Lab in Astana

• Telegram founder Pavel Durovannounced the creation of a dedicated AI lab at the Alem.ai International Center.
• The lab’s first project will be a collaboration with Kazakhstan’s national supercomputer cluster, using decentralized computing to deliver AI features to over a billion users while ensuring transparency, efficiency, and privacy.
• Telegram already has a strong base in Kazakhstan, with 12 million local users, and Durov praised Kazakhstan’s optimistic, forward-looking approach to AI.
  • Samruk-Kazyna AI Neural Network (SKAI)
• Kazakhstan introduced SKAI, the region’s first AI-powered independent Board of Directors member with voting rights, presented to President Tokayev at the forum.
• SKAI analyzes corporate regulations, board decisions since 2008, and internal documents to provide data-driven insights for better governance.
• Built on Kazakhstan’s AlFarabium-2 supercomputerand powered by the domestic Alem LLM large language model, SKAI ensures full data sovereignty and operates securely within the country.
• The system will be piloted at Samruk-Kazyna’s next board meeting, marking a global first in corporate governance innovation.
  • Global Tech Leaders’ Engagement
• Kai-Fu Lee, leading AI scientist and investor, described Kazakhstan as a “digital bridge between East and West”, commending the rapid establishment of Alem.ai and calling AI the most transformative technology of our time.
• Mansoor Al Mansoori, CEO of Abu Dhabi-based G42 International, highlighted joint projects with Kazakhstan, including Central Asia’s first supercomputer, a smart city in Astana, and AI deployment across strategic industries through a JV with Samruk-Kazyna.
• Peter Norvig(Google and Stanford) emphasized AI’s role in revolutionizing education, with the potential to provide personalized learning and “level the playing field” for disadvantaged students.
• Ilya Strebulaev(Stanford) urged Kazakhstan to adopt a venture mindset, noting that most of the world’s largest companies of the future will likely be startups that don’t exist today, and encouraging Kazakhstan to foster conditions for its own “Googles or Teslas.”
  • Forum as a Platform for Innovation
• The 2025 edition reaffirmed Digital Bridge as Central Asia’s largest digital forum, bringing together world leaders, 1,000+ speakers, 500+ startups, and nearly 500 investors and business angels.
• Events included the Astana Hub Battle(a competition for technology start-ups) and Generative Nation Pitch (the main pitch stage where students, startups, and researchers share bold AI ideas), showcasing emerging talent and disruptive innovations.

First Meeting of the Council on AI Development

The day before Digital Bridge, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired the first meeting of the Council on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Development on October 1 in Astana.

• Digital progress: Tokayev noted that over 92% of public services are online, with cashless payments exceeding 85% and 26 million digital services delivered in the first half of 2025.
• New institutions: Highlighted the establishment of the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development and announced plans for a specialized AI research university, in partnership with global institutions.
• Human capital: Over 440,000 students certified under the AI-Sana program; Tokayev stressed the need for world-class training opportunities in Kazakhstan.
• AI in education: Proposed personalized learning through digital student profiles, linked to the new AI university, to optimize study programs and career guidance.
• Ethical safeguards: Called for ethical standards, academic integrity, and protection of Kazakhstan’s cultural heritage and values in the adoption of AI.
• Labor market adaptation: Proposed a national AI-based workforce retraining platform to prepare citizens for labor market shifts and create new jobs.

International engagement: Meeting included contributions from UAE Minister of State for AI Omar Al-Olama, Sinovation Ventures and 01.ai CEO Kai-Fu Lee, and other leading experts, alongside Kazakh officials.