AGP Executive Report

AI in Public Services: Kazakhstan is expanding its eGov GPT assistant so services available through it rise from 50 to 150 by year-end, aiming to cover about 70% of citizen requests and let people describe needs in plain text. AI Research & Robotics: A Kazakh researcher is studying how humans react when robots make mistakes, using a new benchmark (REPAIR-Bench) to improve human-robot interaction after failures. Education & Talent: Latvia debuted at the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence in Astana and won medals; Kazakhstan also hosted the IOAI closing ceremony with officials highlighting AI as a skills multiplier. Energy & Industry Events: KIOGE 2026 marks 30 years of connecting the oil and gas sector, already drawing 235+ companies, while GASTHERM EXPO 2026 in Astana (Aug 25–27) adds AZERTAC as an international media partner. Renewables Investment: Arctech secured 425 MW of new solar tracking projects across Central Asia, including 100 MW in Kazakhstan. Healthcare Expansion: Lilavati Hospital plans a super-speciality OPD in Kazakhstan from early September 2026 as its first operational facility outside India. Digital Economy Partnerships: Freedom Holding is deepening ties with China, including cross-border payments via WeChat Pay/Alipay and cloud services with Alibaba Cloud.

Kazakhstan–South Korea Investment Talks: A Kazakhstan delegation met Korea International Trade Association officials to push Korean capital and advanced tech into industry, AI, green energy and EV manufacturing, with projects flagged for Alatau City, the Middle Corridor and logistics. AI Education in Astana: Bulgaria’s Innovation and Digital Transformation Minister Ivan Vasilev attended the closing of IOAI 2026, praising young AI talent from 100+ countries. Healthcare Expansion: Lilavati Hospital plans to open a super-speciality OPD in Kazakhstan in early September 2026 as its first international facility, offering specialist consultations and second opinions across oncology, liver, kidney, cardiology, neurology, IVF and more. AI Infrastructure in the Region: Armenia’s Firebird AI data centre in Hrazdan officially opened, with plans for large-scale GPU and power expansion and cooperation talks involving Kazakhstan. Digital Commerce + AI Shopping: Kaspi.kz reported 2Q/1H 2026 results, highlighting e-commerce growth and the rollout of Kasper, its AI shopping assistant. Uranium Supply Moves: Kazakhstan’s nuclear cooperation continues to deepen as Japan and South Korea expand fuel-related ties with Kazatomprom. Wildlife Tech for Conservation: Kazakhstan released its first tiger in 70 years, with Umit fitted with a satellite tracking collar for real-time monitoring.

AI Infrastructure & Data Centers: Firebird officially opened the CIS’s largest AI data center in Hrazdan, Armenia, with NVIDIA Blackwell/Rubin plans scaling to 70,000+ GPUs and 300 MW by end-2027; Kazakhstan’s Deputy PM Zhaslan Madiyev attended, and the project is framed as part of a broader regional AI build-out. Kazakhstan’s AI Expansion: Kazakhstan is also set to become Firebird’s second major market via Ekibastuz’s “Data Center Valley” starting at 125 MW, with government approvals and US export authorization. Digital Health Research: Kazakh scientists linked maternal depression, autism care, and digital mental health models, stressing early screening and coordinated support. Fintech & AI Commerce: Kaspi.kz reported 2Q/1H 2026 results, proposing a higher dividend and rolling out Kasper, an AI shopping assistant now available to all e-commerce users in Kazakhstan. Wildlife Tech & Conservation: Kazakhstan released its first tiger in 70+ years—Amur tigress “Umit”—fitted with a satellite tracking collar for real-time monitoring. eVTOL Aviation: EHang’s EH216-S completed Central Asia’s first pilotless human-carrying eVTOL flight in Astana, as Kazakhstan advances its eVTOL regulatory framework. Local Industry Localization: Kazakhstan is pushing local content in oil & gas procurement, targeting Tengiz, Karachaganak and Kashagan with minimum in-country value requirements. Education & Science Links: Kazakhstan and Japan discussed expanding higher education and research cooperation, including faculty mobility and joint projects. Culture & Creative Tech: Comic Con Astana 2026 drew 76,000+ visitors and highlighted Kazakh creator work like “Tengrida: Cyber Steppe,” an AI-powered cyberpunk art film.

AI Infrastructure: Firebird officially opened the CIS’s largest AI factory in Armenia (Hrazdan) with NVIDIA DSX tech, targeting 70,000+ GPUs and 300MW capacity by end-2027, while Kazakhstan’s Deputy PM Zhaslan Madiyev attended and Kazakhstan is positioned as part of a broader push toward ~2GW of AI infrastructure by 2028. Biotech Strategy: Kazakhstan’s healthcare and science leadership backed a draft 2036 Biotechnology Strategy, aiming to move from isolated research to practical diagnostics, treatment, and production, with an action plan to be refined. Agritech & Water: Kazakhstan shared advanced irrigation know-how with Tajikistan, including water-saving pipe and drip irrigation tech, as both sides focus on land reclamation and efficiency. Health & Innovation: Kazakh scientists developed a fully organic moisturizing cream from sheep fat plus grape seed oil and essential oils; lab tests in Almaty reported no toxic substances and no irritation. Energy/Industry: ExxonMobil linked a potential $80B Kashagan expansion with resolving a long-running $150B dispute with Kazakhstan; KazMunayGas says the report is inaccurate. Rare Earths: Lindian says its Kangankunde rare earths project in Malawi is operating under a valid licence after government inspections found no illegal mining. Conservation: A tigress named Umit was released in Kazakhstan’s Ile-Balkhash reserve, marking the first wild tiger return in 70+ years. Space History: NASA marked the 1976 Baikonur launch of Soviet Luna 24, a robotic sample-return mission that found traces of water in lunar soil.

AI Infrastructure in the Region: Firebird officially opened its AI factory in Hrazdan, Armenia, with NVIDIA and partners, and Kazakhstan’s Deputy PM Zhaslan Madiyev in attendance; the plan targets major compute buildout across Armenia and Kazakhstan, with NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang highlighting local AI capacity for researchers, startups and industry. Telecom & Research: Kazakhstan and China inaugurated the Kazakhstan–China Earthquake Research Center in Almaty, setting up labs and modern monitoring/forecasting work to improve seismic safety in both countries. Biodiversity & Conservation: A temporary rehabilitation center for injured birds of prey opened in Mangystau, preparing birds for release and using ring marking to track recovery and local populations. Science & Agriculture: Kazakhstan joined a Japan-led genetic resource effort, collecting wild plant samples (including melon, watermelon and carrot types) for DNA analysis and future climate- and disease-resistant varieties. Education & Tech Talent: Kazakhstan’s IOAI momentum continues as Iran congratulates its AI Olympiad team after winning medals in Astana, underscoring the region’s growing role in AI education. Tech & Society Event: The Go Viral Festival 2026 will be held in Bishkek on Aug 12, focusing on entrepreneurship, innovation, AI and the creative economy with free entry (registration recommended).

AI Infrastructure in the Region: Firebird AI officially opened its NVIDIA-powered AI factory in Hrazdan, Armenia, with NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang saying the project will support local AI development and plans to deploy major GPU capacity across Armenia and Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan–China Science: A new building for the Kazakhstan–China Joint Earthquake Research Center opened in Almaty, enabling immediate joint seismology work to improve monitoring and forecasting. Biodiversity & Genetics: Researchers collected rare wild plant samples in North Kazakhstan for a genetic bank with DNA analysis, aiming to develop crop varieties resistant to disease and climate stress. Critical Minerals Strategy: A new analysis highlights Kazakhstan’s untapped germanium potential and broader critical-mineral opportunities amid shifting supply-chain politics. Education & Tech Talent: Kazakhstan hosted the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence in Astana, with multiple countries winning medals, reinforcing the region’s growing role in AI education. Culture Diplomacy: BRICS culture ministers adopted the Bhopal Declaration, including cooperation on cultural heritage and AI-based tracing tools. Local Tech & Society: Kazakhstan plans to expand digital and AI initiatives in education, while visa-rule changes abroad are creating uncertainty for international students and employers.

Kazakhstan AI Education & Talent: Kazakhstan hosted the 3rd International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) in Astana (Aug 2–8), with Kazakhstan’s own students taking top spots, while Vietnam, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia also reported strong medal hauls—showing the region’s growing AI pipeline. Wildlife Reintroduction: Kazakhstan released the female Amur tigress “Umit” into the Ile-Balkhash reserve as part of a long-term Caspian tiger revival effort, following earlier prey restoration steps. Digital Finance Expansion: Freedom Holding Corp says its SuperApp hit 5.2 million registered users by March 2026 and is building an AI cluster in Kazakhstan via major international partnerships. Aport Apple Revival: Kazakhstan is expanding orchards and nurseries to restore the iconic aport apple, using specialized cultivation conditions and a 2024–2028 national program. BRICS Culture Cooperation: The XI BRICS Culture Ministers’ meeting in Bhopal adopted the Bhopal Declaration, with Kazakhstan listed among partner countries. Eurasian Connectivity Talks: Pakistan is pushing a free trade process with the EAEU while deepening trade and connectivity links across the corridor. Astana Tech & Media: The Astana AI Film Festival is gearing up with international submissions and partnerships, aligning with Kazakhstan’s Year of Digitalization and AI.

AI & Media in Kazakhstan: Astana AI Film Festival gears up for 1,900+ submissions from 90+ countries, with Freedom Holding as general partner and an international jury; Kazakhstan also declared 2026 the Year of Digitalization and AI, tying the festival to the Astana Digital Bridge. Urban Mobility: Kazakhstan completed its first passenger eVTOL flight in Astana using the Chinese EH216-S, moving air taxi plans from policy to real testing, with vertiport and unmanned traffic rules already in place. Digital Finance: Freedom Holding’s SuperApp hit 5.2 million registered users (March 2026) and is expanding via an AI cluster plan with Citigroup plus major China tech partnerships for payments, cloud, and autonomous driving. Space/Science Context: Russia brought its Elektro-L geostationary weather satellite into operational service, a reminder of Kazakhstan’s Baikonur role in space launches. Mining & Industry: Kazakhstan plans tungsten mining at Aksoran from 2028 (16-year mine life) and ranked among the world’s top 10 copper producers in 2025. Nature & Conservation: Umit the Amur tigress was released in Kazakhstan to support the long-term Caspian tiger reintroduction project. Regional Integration: EAEU trade is set to top $100B in 2026 as the bloc signs deals on e-commerce, a unified financial market, and mutual recognition of academic titles.

Autonomous Air Taxis: Kazakhstan carried out its first passenger eVTOL flight in Astana, with the Chinese EH216-S completing a pilotless demo and plans now pointing to sightseeing routes and later emergency and medical use, plus vertiport and unmanned traffic rules already in place. Digital Economy & Exports: Services exports neared $13bn in 2025, led by transport, while digital industries are the fastest-growing slice—an early sign Kazakhstan is shifting toward higher-value tech services. AI in Schools: Kazakhstan is updating its curriculum so AI concepts start from first grade, including new “Digital Literacy and Artificial Intelligence” and “Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence” tracks plus teacher guidelines. Fintech in Focus: A Central Asia Fintech Summit is set to bring banks, fintechs and regulators to Almaty to discuss next-gen payments, cross-border digital finance, AI in real business, and fraud-fighting systems. Critical Minerals & Rights: A report flags transparency and human-rights gaps around EU-linked “strategic” mining projects involving Kazakhstan, including concerns over undisclosed contracts and limited safeguards. Copper Push: Kazakhstan placed among the world’s top 10 copper producers in 2025, reinforcing demand growth tied to power grids, EVs and digital infrastructure. Heritage Restoration: Restoration work continues at the Bakatam Mausoleum and the Syganak settlement in Kyzylorda region, combining scientific assessment with structural and protective upgrades.

AI in Schools: Kazakhstan is updating its curriculum so AI concepts start from first grade, renaming “Digital Literacy” to include AI for grades 1–4 and expanding AI and ethics learning across primary and secondary levels. Aviation Decarbonization: Kazakhstan signed a memorandum with Hong Kong-based Full Vision Capital to study an integrated sustainable aviation fuel value chain in Alatau, including feedstock, processing, and smart energy support. Digital Connectivity: Kazakhstan completed a major marine phase of the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic cable, bringing the undersea line ashore and strengthening a new Asia–Europe data corridor via Aktau–Sumgait. Water Tech for Resilience: Kazakhstan agreed to build a nationwide flood and drought early warning system that unifies hydrological and infrastructure data for better forecasting. Cybersecurity: Kaspersky reported new Windows backdoors (OctLurk and SilkLurk) targeting government and public institutions across Central Asia, including Kazakhstan. Urban Air Mobility: Astana’s first passenger flight on an electric eVTOL marks a step toward autonomous urban transport and services like medical delivery and logistics. STEM & Space: Kazakhstan’s AI Olympiad and Informatics events keep momentum for young tech talent, while NASA’s Crew-13 mission plans include a possible spacewalk.

Urban Air Mobility: Astana’s first passenger has flown on Kazakhstan’s EH216-S autonomous eVTOL, with plans for tourist routes and future roles in emergency medicine, delivery, firefighting, and localized UAV production. Digital Infrastructure: Kazakhstan has completed a major stage of the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic cable after the undersea segment reached the Caspian coast, strengthening the Asia–Europe data corridor with Kazakhtelecom and AzerTelecom. Water Security: Kazakhstan signed an agreement to build a nationwide flood and drought early warning system, aiming to shift from reacting to disasters to forecasting risks using unified data. Business Pulse: Kazakhstan’s services PMI rose to its highest level in over 12 months, showing faster expansion in July even as hiring stayed cautious. AI Education & Talent: Astana hosted the International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) with hundreds of students, while Kazakhstan also prepares major chess events, including a FIDE world university team championship. Cybersecurity: Kaspersky reported new Windows backdoors (OctLurk/SilkLurk) targeting government and public institutions across Central Asia, including Kazakhstan. Wildlife Tech & Conservation: Kazakhstan released Amur tigers into the wild after 70 years, using GPS/GSM tracking collars to monitor the reintroduction.

Cybersecurity: Kaspersky warns of two new Windows backdoors, OctLurk and SilkLurk, used in cyber-espionage against government and public institutions across Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Syria since Jan 2025. Smart Cities & Identity: Kazakhtelecom pilots facial recognition for smart home entry in Petropavlovsk, letting 210 households access buildings without badges via digital intercoms and video surveillance. AI Education: Astana hosts the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI 2026), with 500+ students from 106 countries competing under UNESCO patronage. Connectivity: Kazakhstan completes a major stage of the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic line, with the Aktau–Sumgayit submarine cable brought ashore to link Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Energy & Geopolitics: Russia temporarily allows lower-grade gasoline (K2–K4 / Euro-2 to Euro-4) until July 1, 2027 amid refinery disruptions from drone strikes. International Tech Policy: China tightens drone export curbs to the US and sanctions six American firms, escalating the tech-trade standoff. Interfaith Diplomacy: Gulsana Kozhabay says Kazakhstan’s World Religions Congress should shift from dialogue to practical conflict prevention and reconciliation.

AI for everyday life in Central Asia: A new regional look shows how local teams in Kyrgyzstan and neighbors are building AI tools for education, healthcare, and cultural heritage, with a focus on practical use rather than distant “frontier” models. Digital governance push: Kazakhstan opened the III International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence in Astana, with Tokayev stressing a shift to a fully digital state and an innovation ecosystem. Migration tech upgrade: Kazakhstan is moving toward a paid electronic entry permit for foreign visitors, with a phased rollout planned for Aug–Dec 2026, while public consultation raised gaps in the draft details. Smart transport & connectivity: Tokayev backed three strategic road projects and Kazakhstan–China aviation links are expanding, including more Guangzhou flights and a new Almaty–Chongqing route. Green energy deal: Full Vision Capital signed an MoU with Kazakhstan’s ministries and Alatau City Authority to pilot sustainable aviation fuel, smart energy, and advanced storage. Public safety & health integrity: Kazakhstan reported 44 drug supply channels eliminated since the start of 2026, and a fake medical registration scheme involving 140,000 patients with damages over 3.5 billion tenge. Wildlife comeback: Kazakhstan released adult Amur tigers into the wild after 70 years, starting a long-term reintroduction with satellite tracking.

AI Education & Policy: Kazakhstan opened the III International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence in Astana, with President Tokayev linking the event to the push for a digital state and stronger support for young talent. Public Health Fraud: Kazakhstan’s Financial Monitoring Agency uncovered a fake registration scheme tied to 140,000 patients, with damages exceeding 3.5 billion tenge and dozens of criminal cases underway. Transport Infrastructure: Tokayev launched construction of three strategic road projects (Kyzylorda–Saksaulsk, Ulgaysyn–Saksaulsk, Beineu–Saksaulsk), calling roads “arteries of life” for Eurasian transit. Digital Connectivity: Marine laying has begun on the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic cable between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, targeting commissioning by end-2026 and boosting regional capacity. Wildlife Tech & Conservation: Kazakhstan released a GPS-collared female Amur tiger (“Umit”) into the wild, starting a long-running reintroduction effort. Energy & Industry: Kazakhstan is considering a plant to produce sustainable aviation fuel from industrial oilseeds, while manufacturing conditions in July deepened into contraction on PMI data. Regional Air Links: Kazakhstan and China discussed new scheduled routes and a possible joint regional airline using COMAC aircraft.

AI Olympiad in Astana: Kazakhstan opened the 2026 International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (Aug 2–8), with Tokayev saying the country has the conditions to join the world’s leading digital nations and highlighting AI skills alongside strong higher education. Digital Media & AI: At the Kazakhstan–Russia Media Forum, officials discussed AI in journalism, digital rights, cybersecurity, and fighting disinformation, while local broadcasters showcased AI-enabled production and live coverage for Games of the Future. Neonatal Care Tech: Kazakhstan’s ministry reports a fourfold rise in survival for extremely low-birth-weight infants (down to 500g), citing advanced perinatal technologies and intensive monitoring. Manufacturing Cooling: Freedom Holding Kazakhstan PMI shows July factory conditions fell further (index 47), with new orders shrinking fastest in over two-and-a-half years. Renewables Shift to Hydropower: Kazakhstan approved a hydropower plan through 2035 to stabilize a growing wind/solar system and improve grid reliability. Rare Minerals Assay: Carbonium Core and TOMI reported initial multi-element assay results showing elevated rare earths and other industrial minerals, supporting critical-mineral evaluation. Wildlife Return: Kazakhstan began a practical step in tiger reintroduction, with a release ceremony attended by ecology officials and international experts.

AI & Education: Kazakhstan is hosting the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) in Astana (Aug 2–8), with President Tokayev calling AI a pillar of the country’s digital push and urging students to keep human values at the center. Digital Economy & Media: At the Kazakhstan–Russia Media Forum, speakers focused on AI in journalism, digital rights, cybersecurity, and fighting misinformation, while Kazakh projects showcased AI-driven content production. Smart Cities: Astana has started testing robot couriers for grocery deliveries via Yandex Lavka, using app-controlled access and low-speed autonomous travel for safety trials. Space & Science: NASA’s Crew-13 mission is preparing for a Sept 12 launch to the ISS from Cape Canaveral, with updates to spacecraft, suits, and launch-pad rescue systems. Archaeology: Excavations at Otyrar uncovered a 13th–14th century mosque and a stone-paved street, adding new detail to Golden Horde-era history. Energy & Industry: ExxonMobil says it plans a long-term presence in Kazakhstan, discussing modern technologies and geological exploration with Prime Minister Bektenov. Environment: Kazakhstan released an Amur tiger into the wild for the first time in 70+ years, fitting it with a satellite collar and starting round-the-clock monitoring.