Kazakhstan Builds the Economy of the Future on AI and Breakthrough Technologies

Digital assets and breakthrough technologies are becoming the foundation of Kazakhstan's new economic model. A panel session is taking place on the sidelines of the Shymkent forum, dedicated to "smart" regulation and the deployment of solutions that until recently seemed like science fiction. Chairman of the Committee on Digital Assets and Breakthrough Technologies Gizzat Baitursynov presented a vision of how blockchain, artificial intelligence, and unmanned transport are transforming established industries.

Particular attention was paid to the development of Physical AI — the next stage in technology evolution. Whereas conventional AI operates in the digital environment, Physical AI steps into the real world: machines begin not just to "think" but to act autonomously in logistics and manufacturing. It is precisely this combination of "intelligence" and "hardware" that is shaping a new technological paradigm in which robots take on complex tasks and create real added value.

Yandex Kazakhstan CEO Timur Shalеkenov spoke about the concept of Physical AI and the coming boom in autonomous transport and robot-delivery technologies, driven by the rapid growth of e-commerce and a growing shortage of couriers. The reasons why Kazakhstan is an attractive destination for deploying such solutions were also highlighted, and technology solutions already launched in the country were presented.

The discussion also featured moonshot technologies from Freedom X — not mere hype, but a working ecosystem: from robot dogs to drone kiosks. The idea was born from a simple human need — to provide residents of remote villages with fast delivery of food, medicines, and socially essential goods. The drone delivery project, launched as a pilot last year, is already moving into its operational phase. The team's practical experience has been compiled into open research materials that Kazakhstan is ready to share with the global market.

Gizzat Baitursynov noted that such breakthrough solutions — including projects in the new city of Alatau City — require a flexible legal environment. Kazakhstan's new economy is being built on the balance between innovation and security, where digital financial instruments and autonomous systems — ground-based and aerial — are becoming a natural part of urban infrastructure.