The government of Kazakhstan has announced the launch of a major project aimed at becoming a leader in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) in Central Asia in collaboration with the recently established Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development and Freedom Holding Corp.
The cornerstone of this initiative is the establishment of a sovereign data center equipped with advanced exaflops infrastructure provided by the US technology giant NVIDIA. The project will be implemented in multiple stages.
Its primary component involves the construction and commissioning of a sovereign artificial intelligence center, the management of which will be entrusted to Freedom Holding Corp.
This corporation will serve as the main investor and operator of the project, with an expected investment of 2 billion US dollars. For the implementation of the project, a location in Kazakhstan with a capacity of 100 MW of electricity will be allocated.
In turn, the relevant ministry in Kazakhstan is committed to creating the regulatory and legal conditions necessary for the deployment and uninterrupted operation of large-scale computing capacities. Additionally, the government plans to support education and scientific research by establishing a specialized academy and research laboratory for artificial intelligence.
These institutions are aimed at training a new generation of engineers and scientists in the field of artificial intelligence. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Jaslan Madiyev described the collaboration with NVIDIA as a crucial step towards implementing the country's national artificial intelligence strategy, saying: "We are building a sovereign artificial intelligence ecosystem that will strengthen the economy, increase competitiveness, and create new opportunities for the entire region."
Freedom Holding Corp. CEO Timur Turlov expressed confidence that the combination of his company's expertise, NVIDIA's technological potential, and the government's strategic vision would provide a strong foundation for innovative advancements in the field of artificial intelligence. According to him, this initiative will strengthen Kazakhstan's position in the global artificial intelligence industry and contribute to the long-term growth of all Central Asia.
This collaboration reflects the shared aspiration of Kazakhstan and neighboring countries to develop a unified artificial intelligence ecosystem aligned with the rapidly evolving digital economy.
