BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 2. President of
Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attended the opening ceremony of
the international Astana AI Film Festival, the first international
film competition featuring works created using artificial
intelligence, according to the president's press service.
Speaking at the opening, Tokayev described the festival as a
unique project that brings together creative, educated and
innovative people.
“Astana AI Film Festival is a unique, unprecedented project in
which proactive, educated, innovative and creative-minded people
demonstrate their creative abilities and talents. It is a kind of
competition of sharp minds and bold initiatives. The modern era is
a time of knowledge, science and innovation. Artificial
intelligence is bringing fundamental changes to all areas of the
global economy. In other words, technological progress has acquired
a truly global scale,” Tokayev said.
The president said the festival demonstrates the rapid
development of Kazakhstan’s creative industries. He noted that
measures are being taken to establish an integrated ecosystem in
the sector and provide comprehensive support to talented
people.
Tokayev also stressed the need for responsible development and
use of artificial intelligence, noting that the rapid development
of the technology has raised concerns among politicians, scientists
and technology industry leaders over the risks of uncontrolled
use.
“We must give priority attention to security issues and develop
common rules for the responsible development and use of artificial
intelligence to ensure a safe future for the younger generation. At
the same time, we must do everything possible to unlock the
enormous creative potential of the technologies of the future. This
is the main idea behind the AI film festival,” he said.
According to Tokayev, AI is creating new opportunities for young
people and smaller creative teams, allowing them to compete with
large studios and making entry into the film industry easier.
“Of course, artificial intelligence will not replace the spark
of the Creator, but it can become an indispensable tool for
everyone who has connected their life with creativity,” the
president said.
More than 8,000 applications from 125 countries were submitted
to the festival. Participants from the US, India, China, South
Korea, the UK, Indonesia, Japan, Brazil, France and other countries
presented their works.
Tokayev said holding the international event in Astana was not
accidental, noting that Kazakhstan is a young country, with an
average population age of 33.
He expressed confidence that the festival would create
opportunities for participants to exchange experience and develop
joint projects, while contributing to the development of global
creative industries.
