BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. Kazakhstan is
exploring the creation of an international technology hub in
partnership with global technology community Network School.
This was announced in a statement published by the government of
Kazakhstan.
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and the organization's founder,
Balaji Srinivasan, discussed cooperation in artificial
intelligence, talent development, technology entrepreneurship, and
startup support through the establishment of an international
innovation hub in the Akmola Region, with plans for future
expansion into Alatau City.
The sides also covered joint initiatives, including Kazakhstan's
participation in the AI Film Festival, which features a prize fund
provided by Srinivasan, and the organization of the Network State
Conference during the AI & Digital Bridge international forum,
bringing together leading global technology companies.
"The core concept of Network School, an international community
that brings together entrepreneurs, software developers, engineers
and researchers to collaborate on technology projects and shared
learning, was also presented. The platform combines educational
programs, coworking spaces, conferences, hackathons and startup
acceleration initiatives", the ministry said.
Srinivasan praised Kazakhstan's potential in artificial
intelligence and highlighted broad opportunities for cooperation
with global pools of capital and talent. He stressed that Network
School projects are financed through private investment without the
use of public funds.
During the meeting, plans were presented to develop Network
City, a technology-focused community in the Burabay area in
partnership with local authorities and the local community. The
concept provides for the construction of modular infrastructure
designed to integrate with the natural landscape and existing urban
planning, creating a destination for IT specialists, entrepreneurs
and researchers.
Bektenov emphasized the importance of attracting international
expertise and strengthening Kazakhstan's ties with the global
technology community. He noted that the country's new Constitution
identifies the development of human capital, education, science and
innovation as strategic priorities, with particular attention given
to artificial intelligence and the protection of citizens' personal
data.
The prime minister also highlighted that 2026 has been declared
the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in
Kazakhstan. The country is currently implementing its nationwide
Digital Qazaqstan strategy while developing major digital
infrastructure projects, including Astana Hub, the planned Data
Center Valley in Ekibastuz, and educational programs such as TUMO
and Tomorrow School at the Alem.ai International Artificial
Intelligence Center.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Bektenov instructed the
relevant government agencies to support the implementation of the
proposed project.
