Ladies and gentlemen!

Dear friends!

I am delighted to welcome you to the Digital Bridge 2025 International Forum.

First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the guests who have come especially to participate in this large-scale event.

I would like to note the participation in the Forum of His Excellency Mr. Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary, who is in Kazakhstan on an official visit.

Dear Mr. President, I greatly appreciate this. 

I am confident that your ideas and initiatives will make a significant contribution to the development of international partnership in the field of digital technologies.

Today, Digital Bridge has become an important platform for exchanging views and putting forward important initiatives on the future of the digital economy and global transformation.

Since its inception, more than 67,000 people, over 500 IT companies, and delegations from 100 countries have participated in the Forum.

Kazakhstan, as the main digital hub of the Eurasian space, will continue this important work in the future.

The world has entered the era of artificial intelligence.

We are all witnessing how this revolutionary technology is radically changing politics, economics, and the daily lives of billions of people.

According to experts, global investment in AI development in recent years has exceeded one trillion dollars (Gartner).

Its contribution to the world economy in the coming decade may reach seven trillion dollars (Goldman Sachs).

Yet this will not be possible without the responsible use of this technology.

There are ongoing debates on the responsibility in the field of AI.

 Issues like the establishment of common regulatory frameworks and the guarantee of equal access for all countries to advanced technologies and resources take center stage in global discussions.

Our task is to direct these new technologies for the benefit of humanity as key drivers of progress and cooperation.

More than thirty years ago, Kazakhstan voluntarily renounced nuclear weapons, making a historic choice in favor of peace and security.

Today, our country speaks with equal conviction: artificial intelligence must be used only for peaceful purposes.

Its application whether in the military sphere, cyberattacks, or in any projects that may threaten international stability should not be allowed.

At the recent session of the United Nations General Assembly, I confirmed Kazakhstan’s readiness to contribute to the work of a Global Dialogue on AI Governance under the auspices of the UN.

We also welcome the initiatives of our partners, including China’s proposal to create a Global Organization for AI Cooperation.

This year, I devoted my Address to the people of Kazakhstan to issues of digitalization and artificial intelligence.

We have set ourselves a clear goal: Kazakhstan must become a truly digital country within three years.

This is a very ambitious task. Therefore, we are now actively working to create a comprehensive digital ecosystem for the country.

Yesterday, the first meeting of the Council for the Development of Artificial Intelligence was held in Astana, dedicated to education issues.

At the meeting, attended by leading global experts, key issues of human capital development were discussed and specific tasks were set.

I would like to note in particular that a historic decision was made to establish the first research university in the field of artificial intelligence.

In addition, the Alem.ai International Center for Artificial Intelligence, which can be called a factory of ideas and innovations, will be opened today.

In general, Kazakhstan is open to any cooperation in this area.

We also plan to launch a second supercomputer cluster in our country.

Artificial intelligence should only be used for good purposes. Human well-being is paramount.

Alem.ai is set to become a global hub where artificial intelligence technologies will be implemented as effectively as possible and in accordance with ethical standards.

It is very important to use artificial intelligence technology responsibly.

The new university and Alem.ai center will form the basis for the creation of a unified ecosystem.

In my Address, I emphasized that building a digital state is a strategic choice that will determine the future of Kazakhstan.

The task has been set to ensure a complete transition to a digital format of governance within three years.

This means a profound transformation of the state's relationship with citizens and businesses.

To this end, the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development has been created.

The new Ministry will be the main driver of digitalization and the introduction of artificial intelligence into all spheres of life.

In other words, public life in our country will become completely different, more technological and modern, which, in turn, will have a positive impact on the mentality of the nation, which will take a huge step towards civilization.

I have said many times that our people must look to the future with optimism and not dwell on the past. 

Today, I was shown the work of a virtual member of the Samruk-Kazyna Board of Directors, which operates on the basis of artificial intelligence technology.

This is the first project in Central Asia implemented on the basis of a national supercomputer and Kazakhstan's large language model Alem LLM.

Such solutions are of great practical importance as they contribute to the optimization of all internal processes.

National companies and domestic enterprises must actively implement innovative projects. In the era of advanced technologies, it is very important to be prepared for radical transformations. Obviously, without this, progress is impossible.

At the same time, the use of advanced technologies brings not only benefits and advantages, but also new challenges and threats. That is why the formation of a legal framework for the use of artificial intelligence is an extremely urgent task. Significant work has already been done in this direction, and it continues.

Specific measures are being taken to promptly adopt the main document in this area – the Digital Code.

The Code defines a system for the universal digitization of the economy, education, healthcare, and public administration.

The Digital Code cannot be adopted hastily; it is indeed a very responsible and complex task.

Therefore, parliamentary hearings on the development of artificial intelligence were held with the participation of experts and representatives of authorized agencies.

A week ago, the Mazhilis (the Lower house of the Parliament) adopted the law “On Artificial Intelligence” in its second reading.

Indeed, this document was adopted in a timely manner. International experts highly commend Kazakhstan’s actions, calling this law an important step toward creating a sustainable digital ecosystem.

However, we cannot afford to relax, as significant work lies ahead.

Artificial intelligence offers incredible opportunities for building a Just, Safe, and Strong Kazakhstan.

At the same time, it is crucial not to succumb to the illusion that artificial intelligence and digitalization alone will serve as a panacea for all challenges.

Comprehensive digitalization and the effective use of artificial intelligence require addressing three equally important tasks simultaneously: attracting resources, acquiring new knowledge, and adhering to ethical standards.

In other words, we must act swiftly and transparently, making just and effective decisions.

Every new public service must be created in digital format from the outset.

Data that has been provided once should not be requested again.

In addition, all regulatory acts related to interaction between the state and citizens must undergo mandatory digital review before they are approved.

This will relieve citizens and entrepreneurs of excessive bureaucracy and strengthen their trust in state institutions.

Overall, all outlined measures are innovative for our region and demonstrate a long-term and systemic trajectory of the state’s digital policy.

Smart technologies are capable to process enormous amounts of data, analyzing a wide range of areas, from public moods to key economic indicators.

This will significantly enhance the effectiveness of strategic planning, contribute to improving the well-being of our citizens, and foster economic growth.

At the same time, it is essential that our citizens know and realize how algorithmic systems operate, from the issuance of loans to the delivery of public services.

For the widespread introduction of artificial intelligence in all sectors of the economy, it is necessary to focus on adapting the relevant legislation.

This means that specific mechanisms must be adopted to protect our country's digital and intellectual property.

Ultimately, digitalization and the widespread use of neural networks should become the new philosophy of public administration in Kazakhstan. 

Dear friends!

Humanity is now faced with various scenarios for the future development of artificial intelligence.

Some open up vast new horizons, while others pose serious challenges.

At the same time, the only thing that can be said with certainty is that the future depends on our ability to act together.

Artificial intelligence is a reality of our time. Given that the main vector of human development in the coming years will be directly linked to AI, I believe that from next year our forum should be called AI Bridge.

At the same time, our unique platform will retain its mission and remain a link between technology giants and startups, business and science, the state and citizens.

This new focus of the Forum will provide additional momentum to international cooperation and will help ensure that artificial intelligence will be serving for the real benefit of our people.

Emerging as a transformative force of our global civilization, artificial intelligence compels us to reconsider the very essence of human existence.

It is a fundamental challenge for all of humanity.

Therefore, we must shape out a new
generation of engineers and other specialists, as well as humanitarians capable of reflecting on the meaning and course of development of this technology.

I am convinced that artificial intelligence must involve philosophers, sociologists, and legal experts alongside technical specialists to embrace the identity, traditions, legal norms, and moral values of diverse societies.

We must take effective measures to ensure that technologies do not deepen social inequality, nor become instruments of manipulation over the behavior and choices of citizens.

We must not allow algorithms in the interests of privileged groups, to impose “universal” values or patterns of thinking that erase the cultural diversity of our world.

True justice means that technology must serve all, not only chosen ones.

We must remember that artificial intelligence can mimic intelligence but cannot feel.

While artificial intelligence is capable of analyzing and making predictions, it cannot dream or imagine like we do.

Who knows, perhaps in ten or twenty years, the situation will change dramatically. However, at present, artificial intelligence lacks a "soul" (empathy).

Technologies are meant to serve the benefit of all people.

No matter how advanced AI becomes, human thinking must always stay ahead of it.

Numerous concepts have emerged on this issue, and lively discussions are ongoing.

Philosophy, culture, and education must play a fundamental role in this matter.

In other words, a bright future will be possible only through the synergy of the boundless potential of humans and the unique technological capabilities of machines.

I wish the participants successful work!

I am confident that the Forum will facilitate a fruitful exchange of opinions and generate many valuable proposals.

Thank you for your attention!