Kazakhstan backs China’s proposal for global AI cooperation organisation

Kazakhstan has announced its support for China’s initiative to create a Global Organisation for Cooperation in the Field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made the statement during the 8th Kazakh-Chinese Business Council meeting, highlighting Kazakhstan’s ambitions to play a leading role in the region’s digital transformation.

Speaking at the meeting, President Tokayev praised China’s achievements in digitalisation and stressed the importance of international cooperation in AI. He noted that experts predict the global AI market could reach $5 trillion by 2033, representing about 30% of the global tech industry.

Tokayev said Kazakhstan would actively support China’s proposal to establish a global AI cooperation body, an idea first presented during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference in Tianjin. Such an organisation would aim to coordinate policies, promote innovation, and manage risks linked to AI on an international scale.

Kazakhstan’s digital ambitions

Kazakhstan has been rapidly advancing its digital economy and AI development:

• Earlier this year, the country launched the region’s first supercomputer.
• It also opened the AlemAI International Center for Artificial Intelligence.
• The government is pushing ahead with Alatau City, a major construction project intended to become a national and regional hub for innovation, the crypto industry, and tech entrepreneurship.

Tokayev underlined Kazakhstan’s commitment to working closely with Chinese companies, including the China State Construction Engineering Corporation, and suggested construction on Alatau City should begin immediately.

International context

Tokayev’s remarks came during a week of high-level meetings in China, including the SCO and SCO+ summits in Tianjin, where several agreements were signed. Later, the Kazakh president travelled to Beijing to continue discussions with Chinese business leaders.