The Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) at Nazarbayev University participated in a high-level roundtable discussion hosted by the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) on June 10, where experts examined Kazakhstan’s opportunities in the rapidly growing global market for AI infrastructure.
The discussion was based on the AIFC Insights report, “AI as Infrastructure: Capital, Compute and Investment Opportunities”, which highlights the unprecedented global demand for computing resources driven by artificial intelligence. According to the report, worldwide investment in data centres could reach approximately $6.7 trillion by 2030, with around 70% of future demand for data centre capacity expected to come from AI workloads.
The event brought together representatives from government, academia, industry, and the investment community, including the World Bank, the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Digital Government Support Center, Nazarbayev University, AI Association, AKASHI Data Center, Presight, MOST Ventures, Quantum Capital, Axiom Capital, TSARKA, and other organizations.
Participants discussed Kazakhstan’s potential role in the emerging AI infrastructure ecosystem, including the development of data centres, GPU clusters, cloud platforms, energy solutions, and regulated AI services. Experts noted that Kazakhstan possesses several competitive advantages, including its strategic geographic location, energy resources, growing digital infrastructure, and expanding AI capabilities.
Representing ISSAI, Amina Baikenova, Deputy Director for Products and External Relations, emphasized the importance of connecting AI research with large-scale implementation:
“Kazakhstan is already developing a strong research base and creating its own artificial intelligence solutions. At the same time, one of the key challenges remains the transition from successful research and development projects to large-scale adoption in the real economy.
For artificial intelligence to become a true driver of economic growth, it is essential to ensure access to computing power and create the necessary infrastructure. In this context, the report is particularly timely, as it provides a foundation for dialogue between developers, investors and policymakers while supporting the search for effective financing mechanisms for AI infrastructure projects.”
The discussion also highlighted the importance of sustainable investment models for AI infrastructure. Participants explored international approaches to financing data centres, cloud infrastructure, and computing capacity, as well as mechanisms for attracting long-term capital to support large-scale digital transformation initiatives.
As Kazakhstan advances its national AI agenda and implements the recently approved “Digital Qazaqstan” Strategy, ISSAI continues to contribute through AI research, innovation, and the development of sovereign AI technologies. Ensuring access to computing infrastructure remains a critical factor for accelerating the adoption of AI across industry, government, and society.
The roundtable provided an important platform for collaboration between researchers, policymakers, investors, and technology leaders working to strengthen Kazakhstan’s position in the global AI ecosystem.