Kazakhstan eyes major technology push with Pakistan

ASTANA  –  Kazakhstan is seeking to dramatically expand technology cooperation with Pakistan, with Deputy Prime Minister Zhaslan Madiyev saying the two countries are in close contact and want to grow together through collaboration in artificial intelligence, drones, financial technology and digital governance.

Replying to a question from The Nation during a meeting with a select group of visiting foreign journalists yesterday in Astana, Madiyev, who is also the country’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, said Kazakhstan was maintaining close engagement with its Pakistani counterparts and saw substantial potential for the two countries to work together in emerging technologies.

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“We are in close contact with our Pakistani counterparts,” Madiyev said.

He said Kazakhstan was interested in building stronger technological links with Pakistan through exchanges of expertise and closer cooperation between companies and institutions in both countries. Madiyev said drones represent one of the areas offering significant potential for cooperation as Kazakhstan works to develop its domestic drone technology ecosystem.

He said Kazakhstan was interested in developing capabilities in drone design, manufacturing and anti-drone technologies while cooperating with international partners and exchanging technical experience. Madiyev said financial technology and government technology were also among the areas in which Kazakhstan was interested in working more closely with Pakistan.

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He said the two sides could exchange experience and help connect relevant companies, with the aim of turning technological cooperation into practical projects and business opportunities. Madiyev said Kazakhstan was simultaneously building a broader technology ecosystem in which artificial intelligence was becoming a central component of national digital development. He said Kazakhstan had introduced AI programmes for schoolchildren, university students and government employees, with nearly one million people reached through AI skills programmes last year. The Kazakh DPM said more than 500 students had begun studies under a new AI-focused university programme launched in September. He said Kazakhstan was also developing Alem AI, an international centre in Astana designed to bring together education, research, startups and technology companies.

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Madiyev said the centre included programmes covering generative AI, robotics, computer graphics and creative industries, alongside facilities for startups and technology research. He said around 4,500 children had registered for programmes at the centre, which has capacity for 5,000 students annually. The DPM also highlighted Tomorrow School, a free peer-to-peer AI programme operating around the clock and already established in 14 regions. Madiyev described Kazakhstan’s developing technology ecosystem as a “big funnel” connecting students and researchers with startups, investors and major technology companies before linking them to the wider economy. He said Kazakhstan wanted to use such initiatives to develop technological talent, strengthen innovation and create stronger connections between education, research and business. Madiyev said the country’s expanding digital capabilities provided an opportunity to establish broader international partnerships and exchange expertise with countries including Pakistan. He stressed that closer cooperation between the two countries’ technology sectors could help create new opportunities for companies and support the development of their respective digital economies. The DPM said Kazakhstan was ready to continue working closely with its Pakistani counterparts as both sides explored new areas of technological cooperation.

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