Kazakhstan Delegation Participates in ITU Summit "Artificial Intelligence for Good"

Geneva, July 6, 2022 – The summit "Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Good," organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), took place on July 6, 2022, in Geneva. The event brought together representatives from governments, civil society, international organizations, innovators, and investors in the field of artificial intelligence. The Kazakhstan delegation, led by Vice Minister of Digital Development and Aerospace Industry, Askar Zhambakin, actively participated in this global event.

The global summit "AI for Good," established in 2017, is being held in Geneva in an in-person format for the first time since 2019. The event aims to provide a platform for discussing the regulation and development of AI, as well as establishing connections to create new projects and foster partnerships.

During the summit, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the WTO and International Economic Organizations, Zhanar Aitzhan, participated in a roundtable discussion focused on the current capabilities of artificial intelligence and its implications for the future. The roundtable addressed topics such as AI governance, digital divide, and the contribution of AI to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

In her speech, Ambassador Zhanar Aitzhan provided examples of how Kazakhstan is applying artificial intelligence in various fields. These include biometric identification for government services and banking, image processing for stroke analysis and cancer risk detection in healthcare, as well as traffic management. Through the integration of multiple databases and data analysis, the Kazakhstan government provides proactive public services without citizens needing to initiate requests. Over 40 government services are delivered proactively, tailored to individuals' life events.

In conclusion of her speech, Ambassador Zhanar Aitzhan proposed that the ITU establish a "best practices" database, compiling the experiences of countries in government regulation and the application of AI for the benefit of society.

Furthermore, Vice Minister Askar Zhambakin held a bilateral meeting with Deputy Secretary-General of the ITU, Thomas Lamanauskas. During the meeting, Vice Minister Zhambakin shared Kazakhstan's experience in digitalizing government services. He highlighted that Kazakhstan ranks 28th in the UN's E-Government Development Index and 8th in the "online services" subindex, alongside countries such as South Korea, Estonia, and Singapore, showcasing Kazakhstan's leadership in digital government. Deputy Secretary-General Lamanauskas acknowledged Kazakhstan's regional leadership in digitalization and called on the country to share its expertise in digital transformation with other nations, utilizing the ITU platform. Both parties agreed to collaborate within ITU projects to foster digitalization.

In conclusion, Vice Minister Zhambakin emphasized Kazakhstan's ongoing commitment to developing modern technologies and strengthening its role in the global community, particularly in the field of digitalization.