We are proud to announce the successful conclusion of a series of meetings by ISSAI’s data scientists, Tomiris Rakhimzhanova and Rakhat Meiramov, who represented the Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI), Nazarbayev University, and Kazakhstan on the global stage as part of the U.S. Department of State’s prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).
Over several weeks, Tomiris and Rakhat engaged with world-leading AI institutions and innovation hubs across the United States, establishing strong academic and professional connections that promise fruitful collaboration for years to come.
Their journey began in Washington, D.C., where they participated in discussions with the U.S. Department of State, CISA, and NIST, learning firsthand how the United States shapes governance, cybersecurity, and AI standards. These discussions highlighted the importance of responsible, secure, and trustworthy AI development – an approach ISSAI is committed to supporting.
The delegation continued to Stanford University, where they visited the Cyber Policy Center and Social Media Lab, introducing ISSAI’s projects and exploring potential avenues for future joint initiatives. At UC Berkeley’s Center for Human-Compatible AI (CHAI), they met with Dr. Olaf J. Groth, PhD, to discuss global AI challenges and Kazakhstan’s unique opportunities to contribute to trustworthy, human-centered AI.
They held an insightful meeting with Meta Research Scientist Arman Zharmagambetov, discussing emerging AI trends worldwide and research directions in Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, a visit to the Silkroad Innovation Hub focused on supporting Eurasian startups and building bridges between innovation ecosystems across continents.
In Pittsburgh, a city renowned for its AI innovation, Tomiris and Rakhat engaged with experts at Carnegie Mellon University’s CyLab Security and Privacy Institute and the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, delving into responsible AI development, data security, and cutting-edge supercomputing infrastructure, including Bridges-2. They also met with representatives from Hellbender Inc. and AI Strike Team, strategic initiatives driving Pittsburgh’s emergence as a global AI hub. They learned about AI Avenue, a pioneering initiative connecting industry, academia, and startups in the era of AI transformation.
A special highlight of their Pittsburgh visit was a tour of Google Pittsburgh, where they had the chance to step behind the scenes and see firsthand how their teams collaborate and innovate.
This inspiring journey was made possible by the generous support of the U.S. Department of State through the IVLP, and all meetings proved highly productive. Our colleagues, now IVLP alumni, established solid relationships with leading U.S. academics and practitioners – including those at world-renowned institutions – opening the door to future collaborations, joint events, and international partnerships.
ISSAI extends its heartfelt gratitude to Kathy Rakel and Grzegorz Sadowski, Political Officers and to the entire Team at the U.S. Embassy for providing an opportunity for Kazakhstan’s AI specialists to contribute, collaborate, and advance the development of cutting-edge technologies together.
At ISSAI, we take great pride in our experts’ dedication to placing Kazakhstan at the heart of global AI innovation. We remain committed to advancing international cooperation, exchanging knowledge, and striving for excellence in responsible AI development.
We are deeply proud of Tomiris and Rakhat for representing ISSAI and Kazakhstan with such professionalism and enthusiasm on this remarkable journey.