The Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) is a research institute at Nazarbayev University, the leading research university in Kazakhstan. Nazarbayev University is ranked in the 401–500 band of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, holds the position of #1 university in Central Asia and the Caucasus, and ranks #4 among universities in the CIS.
Founded in September 2019, ISSAI serves as a national driver of research, innovation, and technological development in the field of Artificial Intelligence. Located at Nazarbayev University, the Institute conducts interdisciplinary research in machine intelligence, addressing real-world challenges faced by industry, government, and society.
Today, ISSAI is the developer and author of a suite of advanced generative AI models, comparable in ambition and capability to leading global systems such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek. These include Oylan, Beynele, TilSync, and MangiSoz — AI systems designed for multilingual understanding, generation, speech and vision technologies, with a strong focus on the Kazakh language and regional contexts.
The Institute provides an agile framework for fundamental research, applied innovation, and international collaboration, working closely with partners in academia, industry, and the public sector. ISSAI’s researchers actively develop both research and applied expertise, regularly publishing their work in internationally recognized, peer-reviewed journals and conferences. To date, ISSAI researchers have produced over 120 scientific publications, cited globally across a wide range of AI disciplines.
Our Mission
ISSAI’s mission is to advance world-class Artificial Intelligence research by developing impactful AI technologies, cultivating scientific talent, and fostering international collaboration that supports Kazakhstan’s digital transformation and sustainable development.
Our Goal
Our goal is to position Kazakhstan as a regional leader in Artificial Intelligence by building a strong research ecosystem, creating globally competitive AI models, training the next generation of AI researchers and engineers, and delivering solutions that address societal, industrial, and governmental challenges.