The Council serves as a platform for strengthening ties between businesses in Kazakhstan and France, fostering partnerships, expanding trade and economic relations, and building trust within the business communities of both countries.

During the event, Minister Madiyev highlighted Kazakhstan’s achievements in digitalization, including advancements in GovTech, the growth of startup ecosystems, and the increasing integration of artificial intelligence into various sectors.

With a population of 20 million and an average age of 32, Kazakhstan boasts a dynamic and energetic workforce ready to embrace innovation. The country ranks ninth globally by land area and contributes nearly 60% of Central Asia’s total GDP.

“This figure is supported by our developing tech sector, which includes more than 200,000 specialists and annually produces about 40,000 graduates in tech fields. Kazakhstan is also home to the oldest and largest cosmodrome in the world, which underlines our commitment to technological progress. We are confident that with such a solid foundation, we are ready for the challenges and opportunities of the digital era,” noted Zhaslan Madiyev.

Kazakhstan’s robust innovation infrastructure is led by Astana Hub, the region’s largest technology park, which supports more than 1,500 resident companies, including over 400 international firms. This reflects the nation’s dedication to global innovation. Over the past five years, Astana Hub participants have attracted nearly $555 million in investments and generated approximately $1.9 billion in revenue. Annual IT exports have exceeded $500 million, underscoring Kazakhstan’s global competitiveness in technology.

As part of the event, a memorandum of strategic partnership was signed between the Ministry of Digital Development and NSDS Digital Investments. The agreement, signed by Minister Zhaslan Madiyev and Nicolas Sadirac, co-founder of NSDS Digital Investments, focuses on advancing digital and AI education in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

Astana Hub plays a pivotal role in this collaboration, which aims to establish a network of innovative programming schools under the Tomorrow School brand using the 01Edu platform, create cutting-edge AI curricula, showcase Kazakhstan's talent on the international stage, and facilitate knowledge exchange and participation in joint events.

Tomorrow School, the first peer-to-peer AI school in Kazakhstan, operates exclusively on the 01Edu platform. It offers free training in artificial intelligence without requiring prior programming experience. This initiative forms a key component of the upcoming National Center for Artificial Intelligence.

“The National AI Center Alem.AI will be a catalyst for innovation, capable of launching up to 100 startups annually, supporting Kazakhstan as a leader in the development and application of AI,” concluded Zhaslan Madiyev.

Source: MDDIAI