I N T E L L I G E N T T E C H N O L G Y
Kazakhstan to teach AI in schools as part of Digital Transformation
K azakhstan is moving forward with a landmark initiative to bring Artificial Intelligence( AI) education into its school system as part of the President’ s instruction on national digitalisation. The programme will be introduced alongside wider efforts to provide schools with universal Internet access and expand opportunities for digital learning.
At a recent government session, Zhaslan Madiyev, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, outlined the steps being taken to modernise the education system. He stressed that the ministry is working systematically to ensure every child has equal access to modern technologies, knowledge and opportunities for growth.
According to official data, Kazakhstan has 8,042 schools, of which 7,917 are already connected to the Internet. This includes 4,663 schools via fibreoptic communication( FOC) and 3,254 through other technologies.“ Of these 3,254 schools, up to 450
can be connected to the Internet by building the‘ last mile’, since the fibreoptic line has already been extended to the settlement. In this regard, we request that akimats ensure the connection of these schools to fibreoptic communication by involving telecom operators or using their own resources,” said Madiyev.
Further connectivity will be secured through an investment agreement with JSC Kazakhtelecom, under which 2,010 schools will be connected to FOC at the partner’ s expense in 2025 – 2026. This will include 819 schools in 2025 and 1,191 in 2026. Once completed, all schools in Kazakhstan will have access to high-speed Internet.
In parallel, the ministry is launching a pilot project to introduce AI education into the national curriculum. Developed in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology( MIT), the programme will be rolled out across all grade levels.
The first stage, starting this year, will see AI introduced into digital literacy classes for students in grades 1 – 4. Lessons will be based on MIT’ s interactive Day of AI content, lasting 30 – 60 minutes and including
methodological guides for teachers and assignments for students. The materials have been translated into both Kazakh and Russian.
The second stage will cover grades 1 – 12, expanding from basic awareness to advanced AI competencies. This broader rollout will require further adaptation of materials. The Ministry of Education has been advised to make Day of AI a mandatory part of the school programme.
Beyond the classroom, Kazakhstan is also investing in extracurricular learning through TUMO creative technology centres. These facilities, set to open in Astana and Almaty, will offer free training to young people without entrance exams or selection. Courses will cover 11 disciplines including programming, robotics, Generative AI, graphic and web design, animation, 3D modelling and music.
TUMO centres already operate successfully in cities such as Paris, Berlin, Lisbon and Zurich. The Kazakh centres are expected to train more than 10,000 students annually, preparing them with skills sought after in global creative and technology sectors.
Madiyev also highlighted the pilot launch of the Social Wallet project, a digital platform designed to improve the targeted delivery of state support. Its first application focuses on providing free and subsidised school meals. Out of 6,943 public secondary schools, 2,369 are now fully equipped with modern hardware and software systems while 3,950 schools have introduced the Business Wallet app to monitor the distribution of hot meals.
The minister said these initiatives demonstrate Kazakhstan’ s commitment to equipping its younger generation with both the digital foundations and advanced skills necessary to thrive in the global economy. ✓
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