On November 17, 2025, the Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) at Nazarbayev University proudly showcased its latest advancements in generative artificial intelligence to His Excellency Dr. Alar Karis, President of the Republic of Estonia. The visit marked an important milestone in the strengthening of academic and technological cooperation between Kazakhstan and Estonia.
President Karis was accompanied by a distinguished delegation including Mr. Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Mr. Altay Kulginov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Estonia. The group was received by Dr. Waqar Ahmad, President of Nazarbayev University, and university leadership.
The visit included a guest lecture by President Karis at NU’s Red Hall, followed by an engaging discussion with students and faculty. The delegation then proceeded to a campus tour, during which ISSAI presented its innovative AI technologies.
In the Upper Atrium, ISSAI’s Founding Director Dr. Huseyin Atakan Varol and Executive Director Mr. Yerbol Absalyamov introduced the delegation to ISSAI’s research projects and demonstrated the capabilities of Beynele 2.0 — the latest version of ISSAI’s multilingual AI image generator.
Beynele 2.0 offers significant improvements, including fully integrated image-to-image generation, image editing, sharper and more vivid visual outputs, and an advanced ability to interpret Kazakhstani cultural concepts. The presentation drew attention not only for its technical sophistication but also for its cultural relevance, emphasizing the relevance of AI in blending innovation with national identity.
Following the campus tour, President Karis participated in the Forum of Rectors of Kazakhstan and Estonia, held at Nazarbayev University’s Ballroom. The forum brought together university leaders from both countries to discuss academic partnerships, digital transformation, and research collaborations.