Kazakhstan to make AI training mandatory for civil servants

AI skills have become essential for Kazakhstan’s public sector / Photo: Shutterstock, photo editor: Milosh Muratovskiy

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development has proposed mandatory artificial intelligence (AI) training for all civil servants, with a pilot program set to launch in March 2025. Over the next five years, the initiative aims to equip 1 million people with AI skills.

On Feb. 5-7, 2025, Kazakhstan will host a workshop as part of the International Telecommunication Union’s «AI Skills Accelerator for Girls» program. The initiative is designed to expand access to emerging technology trends for girls and women, according to the press office of the Ministry of Digital Development.

«Our goal is to integrate AI into every aspect of life, training 1 million people over the next five years. This includes 500,000 school students, 300,000 undergraduate students, 90,000 civil servants, 80,000 corporate sector employees and 30,000 professionals in other fields. Pilot programs are underway in all these areas, and AI training will be mandatory for all current and future civil servants. This initiative will make AI education accessible to everyone,» said Zhaslan Madiyev, minister of digital development.

His recent statement, highlighted in media reports last week, suggests that AI will not only displace jobs but also generate new employment opportunities in Kazakhstan.

Earlier reporting by Kursiv.media explored AI’s potential to streamline routine tasks within the government, which could lead to a reduction in staff. At the time, Madiyev explained that AI would automate repetitive tasks, freeing up government officials to focus on more creative, intellectual and strategic work that requires human involvement. However, he noted that there are currently no definitive predictions about the potential scale of staff reductions.