On October 22, Zhanibekov University hosted the international conference “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Inclusive Education: A Scalable Model for the CAREC Region” in Shymkent. The event was supported by the CAREC Institute and gathered policymakers, educators, researchers, and EdTech developers from across Kazakhstan and other CAREC member countries.
The conference aimed to explore how artificial intelligence can enhance access to quality and inclusive education across the region. Discussions focused on practical approaches to leveraging AI tools to support learners with diverse educational needs and to strengthen digital learning ecosystems in line with CAREC’s Digital Strategy 2030.
Dr. Huseyin Atakan Varol, Founding Director of the Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) at Nazarbayev University, delivered a keynote address highlighting Kazakhstan’s leadership in developing responsible and sovereign generative AI technologies. He presented ISSAI’s achievements, including the creation of Oylan, Kazakhstan’s first language-audio-vision model, emphasizing the importance of human-centered AI that augments rather than replaces educators. Dr. Varol underscored that localized AI solutions can break linguistic and accessibility barriers, ensuring that AI-driven tools are inclusive and culturally adaptable across Central Asia and beyond.
The event featured contributions from prominent experts, such as Dr. Younes Bensouda Mourri, lecturer at Stanford University and founder of LiveTech.AI (United States), Dr. Petr Šaloun from Palacký University Olomouc (Czech Republic) Dr. Diana-Maria Andone from the Politehnica University of Timișoara (Romania), Dr. Ana Skledar Matijević from the Institute for the Development of Education (Croatia) and Dr.Kevin Thompson from the University of Sussex (United Kingdom).
The conference served as a platform to exchange best practices, showcase innovative AI tools for inclusive learning, and initiate the development of a regional roadmap for integrating AI into inclusive education systems across the CAREC region. The initiative reflects Kazakhstan’s growing role in promoting human-centered and accessible AI innovations that support equitable and adaptive education for all learners.
ISSAI extends its sincere gratitude to Dr. Zhanbol Zhilbayev, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Member of the Board, Mr. Ruslan Barikulov, Head of the Center for Academic Excellence and Commercialization, and Ms. Akbota Islam, Head of International Cooperation and Monitoring at Zhanibekov University, for their warm hospitality and excellent organization of the event. The Institute also thanks the entire Zhanibekov University community for creating an inspiring environment that fostered meaningful discussions and collaboration throughout the seminar.