On November 28, the Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) at Nazarbayev University held the AI and the Circular Economy: Shaping the Future of Construction Policy and Practice conference, dedicated to exploring how artificial intelligence and circularity can transform the built environment. Organized in collaboration with the ACI Student Chapter, the event welcomed around 120 participants, including experts, policymakers, ISSAI researchers, and students from NU’s Civil Engineering program.
The conference invited attendees to discover how digital innovation, data analytics, and circular thinking are shaping the future of sustainable construction—where AI provides measurable indicators of urban circularity and supports greener, smarter, and more efficient cities. This year’s theme focused on AI-driven circularity in the built environment, including urban resilience, circular city indexing (CCI), intelligent construction management, and resource-efficient design.
Opening remarks were delivered by Prof. Waqar Ahmad, Prof. Ferhat Karaca and Prof. Huseyin Atakan Varol. In his speech, President Waqar Ahmad emphasized the transformative role of new technologies: “AI is a transportative force, shaping economic development, infrastructure planning, environmental management, and national competitiveness. For countries like Kazakhstan, experiencing rapid urbanization, AI provides an essential analytical foundation.” He underlined that integrating AI with circular economy practices is vital for creating sustainable, durable, and future-ready cities.
Professor Karaca highlighted the purpose of bringing together researchers, regulators, and decision-makers on one platform, noting that meaningful progress requires shared understanding across many sectors. He encouraged students and experts in the audience to challenge speakers and actively participate, pointing out that complex challenges—from climate adaptation to infrastructure resilience—cannot be solved by a single discipline.
The first keynote of the day was delivered by Prof. Luís Bragança of the University of Minho, coordinator of the EU-funded CircularB project. He presented frameworks and digital tools designed to support circular building assessment and lifecycle evaluation. He stressed that “circularity is achievable only when supported by measurable indicators and the right economic and design conditions,” and noted how AI can automate construction assessments, improve accuracy, and scale circularity monitoring across regions.
A series of invited talks followed. Bakhtiyar Bekenov, Deputy Head of the Astana Center of Urbanism, discussed the city’s initiatives in sustainable master planning, green corridors, and landscape transformation. Experts from the Kazakhstan Green Building Council—Alexandr Belyy and Aiman Shopaeva—introduced the national OMIR green building standard as a tool for advancing circular practices in Kazakhstan, including energy-efficient modernization of the national housing stock. Adiya Karsybek, UNDP National Urban Development Consultant, presented the climate risks and infrastructure vulnerabilities of Petropavlovsk, sharing findings from the regional UNDP project funded by the Government of Japan. She noted the importance of coordinated planning and public engagement, emphasizing the need for clear protocols, early-warning systems, and integrated data platforms.
The second session explored AI applications in energy and materials research. Prof. Charalampos Baniotopoulos spoke about AI-enabled predictive maintenance in wind energy systems. NU PhD candidates Hamad Hassan Awan and Sakiru Olagunju presented research highlights on deep learning for sustainable construction and satellite-based material flow analysis in the built environment—work that aligns closely with emerging priorities in circular city indexing and digitalization of urban systems.
Throughout the event, the audience engaged actively through QR-based survey and discussion. Many of the most active participants were NU students, who contributed their perspectives on AI-driven design, circular construction strategies, and future skills for sustainable development.
In his reflections, ISSAI Founding Director Prof. Huseyin Atakan Varol emphasized the importance of the conference as part of NU’s 15th anniversary year. He noted that the discussions directly support Kazakhstan’s ongoing shift toward data-driven construction policies, urban resilience strategies, and national sustainability goals. He added that AI, circularity, and evidence-based planning will play central roles in shaping the next generation of engineers, architects, and policymakers.
The conference concluded with thanks to the ISSAI team, the ACI Student Chapter, invited speakers, and all participants. The event successfully created a space for collaboration and knowledge exchange—positioning ISSAI as a hub for AI-driven innovation in sustainable construction, circular economy research, and resilient urban development.