Ministry of AI and Digital Development

A successful first Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva would be one that creates a clearer shared understanding of key challenges and approaches to AI governance. It would also provide a platform for meaningful exchange of national experiences. In this context, Kazakhstan places particular importance on sharing its recent steps, including the establishment of a dedicated AI Ministry, the approval of a national AI law, and the designation of this year as the Year of Artificial Intelligence to accelerate development and adoption. At the same time, it would be important that the dialogue reflects a wide range of perspectives, including those of emerging digital economies. Overall, success would be reflected in the quality of discussion, mutual understanding, and the ability to identify common ground on complex AI governance issues.

Safe, secure and trustworthy AI;AI capacity-building;Interoperability of governance approaches;Social, economic, ethical, cultural, linguistic and technical implications of AI;

I think these themes were chosen because they really reflect the main issues countries are dealing with right now when it comes to AI. First, safe, secure and trustworthy AI is key, because without trust it's very hard to scale or adopt these technologies. Second, capacity-building is important since not all countries are at the same level, and there's a clear need to develop skills and infrastructure. The broader social, economic, and cultural aspects also matter a lot, because AI is already affecting different parts of society, not just the tech sector. And finally, interoperability is important so that different national approaches can still work together, especially as AI becomes more global. So overall, these themes just capture the main areas where dialogue is really needed today.

I think the selected themes already cover most of the key areas, but there are a few cross-cutting issues that could also be highlighted more explicitly. One of them is the pace of technological change-AI is evolving very quickly, and governance frameworks often struggle to keep up. This creates a constant need for more flexible and adaptive approaches. Another point is access to data and infrastructure. From Kazakhstan's perspective, this is especially important for ensuring that countries can actually participate in AI development, not just regulate it. We also see talent development as a critical issue. Building local expertise is essential for long-term, sustainable AI ecosystems. And finally, there is the question of practical implementation-how policies and principles are translated into real systems and use cases. So while the main themes are well chosen, these cross-cutting aspects are also important for making AI governance more effective and inclusive.

From our perspective in Kazakhstan, these governance gaps are already having a real impact, both in terms of challenges and opportunities. One of the main challenges is that technology is moving faster than regulation. This creates some uncertainty for both government and industry, especially when it comes to issues like safety standards, data use, and accountability. Another challenge is capacity. Like many countries in the region, we are still building the necessary skills, infrastructure, and institutional expertise to fully develop and govern AI systems. At the same time, this also creates opportunities. Kazakhstan is in a position where we can design our AI governance framework in a more flexible and forward-looking way, learning from international experience while adapting it to our national context. We also see strong potential in developing local talent, expanding AI use across sectors, and positioning Kazakhstan as a regional hub for digital innovation in Central Asia. So overall, while governance gaps do create certain risks, they also give us space to shape a more balanced and inclusive approach to AI development.

The AI Dialogue can play a crucial role in advancing international cooperation by providing a neutral and inclusive platform for countries to share experiences, challenges, and lessons learned. AI development and governance are global issues—no single country can address them alone—so dialogue helps build mutual understanding and trust. For Kazakhstan, this exchange is particularly valuable. It allows us to showcase our national experience, including the establishment of a dedicated AI Ministry, adoption of a national AI law, and initiatives such as declaring this year the Year of Artificial Intelligence to accelerate innovation and skills development. At the same time, learning from other countries' approaches helps us refine policies and practices in ways that are adapted to our context. The Dialogue also creates opportunities to explore common principles for safe, secure, and trustworthy AI, while recognizing differences in culture, economic development, and technical capacity. By highlighting cross-cutting issues such as capacity-building, data access, and interoperability, the Dialogue can encourage collaborative solutions that work across borders. Finally, the AI Dialogue can strengthen regional and global networks, connecting governments, industry, and academic institutions. These connections are essential for joint research, standards development, and practical implementation of AI governance frameworks. Overall, the Dialogue provides a space for constructive exchange, sharing of national experiences, and identification of areas for cooperation. It can help ensure that AI development is inclusive, responsible, and aligned with global norms, while allowing emerging economies like Kazakhstan to actively contribute to shaping international governance approaches.

The AI Dialogue can build on several existing initiatives, partnerships, and mechanisms in the global AI governance space. These include international efforts such as the OECD AI Principles, UNESCO's work on AI ethics, the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI), and regional initiatives that promote research collaboration, standards, and capacity-building. At the national level, Kazakhstan has been actively developing its AI ecosystem through its AI Ministry, national AI law, and programs to strengthen skills and innovation. By connecting with these initiatives, the AI Dialogue can create added value by serving as a neutral platform for sharing experiences, lessons, and practical approaches. It can help identify areas of convergence and complement existing work, particularly in emerging economies that may have fewer opportunities to engage with established international processes. The Dialogue can also facilitate collaboration across sectors—linking governments, industry, and academia—and across regions, helping to reduce fragmentation and promote interoperability of governance approaches. Additionally, it can highlight cross-cutting issues such as capacity-building, data access, and human-centered AI, ensuring that discussions address both technological and societal considerations. In this way, the AI Dialogue can strengthen global cooperation, support knowledge exchange, and enhance the effectiveness of existing initiatives by providing a forum where diverse perspectives—including those of emerging digital economies like Kazakhstan—are actively included. It can help move from principles to practical dialogue, creating a space where countries can learn from each other while respecting national contexts and priorities.

Different stakeholders—governments, industry, academia, civil society, and international organizations—can all play important roles in the AI Dialogue. Governments can share national experiences, regulatory approaches, and policy lessons learned. Industry actors can provide practical insights into AI development, deployment, and risk management. Academia and research institutions can contribute evidence-based research, analysis of societal impacts, and technical expertise. Civil society and community representatives can ensure that ethical, social, cultural, and human-centered perspectives are included. International organizations can help coordinate efforts, share global standards, and provide comparative frameworks. For the format and structure, the Dialogue should be inclusive, multi-stakeholder, and flexible. Structured sessions could combine plenary discussions on key thematic areas with smaller breakout groups for technical or region-specific topics. Panels and case-study presentations would allow participants to share concrete experiences, while open forums or workshops could encourage interaction and collaborative problem-solving. Regular reporting or summaries could capture insights without creating binding obligations, ensuring that the Dialogue remains a neutral platform. Digital participation options can broaden accessibility, particularly for emerging economies or smaller organizations that may face travel constraints. In this way, the AI Dialogue can become a practical forum where different stakeholders not only exchange ideas but also learn from one another, identify common challenges, and explore cooperative approaches to AI governance. By combining structured thematic sessions, interactive workshops, and open discussion, the Dialogue can maximize participation, inclusivity, and the value of shared knowledge.

In global discussions on AI governance, some voices and perspectives are still underrepresented. Emerging and developing economies, including countries in Central Asia, often have fewer opportunities to participate in international forums, even though AI is rapidly affecting their societies and economies. Local communities, civil society groups, and smaller industry players—especially startups—may also be less visible, as discussions are often dominated by major technology companies and advanced economies. Cultural, linguistic, and gender perspectives are additional areas where representation can be strengthened. AI systems and governance frameworks can reflect unintended biases if these viewpoints are not actively included. Indigenous communities and marginalized groups are rarely consulted, yet AI technologies increasingly impact areas such as language processing, education, and public services. To improve inclusivity, the AI Dialogue could create dedicated channels for these underrepresented stakeholders. This could include regional roundtables, virtual participation options, and multilingual resources to ensure broader accessibility. Workshops or case-study sessions focused on experiences from emerging economies and smaller communities could also be included. Involving civil society and academic experts from diverse regions can help ensure that local realities, ethical considerations, and societal impacts are better understood. For Kazakhstan, participation in such inclusive dialogues is important both to share our national experience—including the establishment of an AI Ministry and a national AI law—and to learn from other emerging economies facing similar challenges. Broadening participation in this way can strengthen global cooperation, produce more balanced and human-centered governance approaches, and ensure that AI benefits are more widely shared.

To foster meaningful and dynamic engagement during the AI Dialogue, it is important to use formats that encourage interaction, knowledge exchange, and collaboration across different stakeholders. Traditional plenary sessions are valuable for setting the stage and sharing high-level insights, but interactive formats can create deeper engagement. Breakout workshops or thematic working groups allow participants to dive into specific topics, share national experiences, and explore practical solutions. Case-study presentations can highlight concrete examples of AI governance, showcasing successes, lessons learned, and challenges. Panel discussions that include diverse voices—governments, industry, academia, and civil society—can foster richer dialogue and multiple perspectives on complex issues. Digital engagement tools, such as live polling, Q&A platforms, or virtual collaboration spaces, can broaden participation and give underrepresented stakeholders, including emerging economies and smaller organizations, a stronger voice. Hybrid formats combining in-person and online participation increase accessibility and inclusivity. Additionally, interactive simulations or scenario exercises could help stakeholders explore potential risks, governance gaps, and policy responses in a practical, hands-on way. This can encourage creative thinking and mutual learning, moving the discussion beyond theory. Finally, periodic reflection sessions or summary discussions can help participants identify common themes, areas of convergence, and opportunities for cooperation. By combining plenary sessions, workshops, case studies, panels, and interactive digital tools, the AI Dialogue can create a dynamic, inclusive, and results-oriented environment where stakeholders learn from each other and build shared understanding of AI governance challenges and opportunities.

In Kazakhstan, one concrete example of advancing AI governance and practical solutions is the development of the national AI Agent. This platform is designed to support AI implementation across government and industry by providing centralized tools, guidance, and analytics. The AI Agent helps ensure that AI applications are deployed responsibly, safely, and in line with national standards, while also enabling monitoring, evaluation, and capacity-building. By integrating technical solutions with governance frameworks, initiatives like the AI Agent illustrate how Kazakhstan is combining innovation, regulation, and human-centered approaches to advance AI adoption in a structured and transparent way.