Kazakhstan launches region’s most powerful supercomputer to boost AI and digital services

Kazakhstan has unveiled Central Asia’s top supercomputer to power AI and e-services.

Kazakhstan has joined the global race to harness cutting-edge computing power by launching Central Asia’s most powerful supercomputer. The system, with a speed of 2 exaflops, was inaugurated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Alem.cloud centre in Astana.

The supercomputer is designed to serve two main goals. First, to enhance the country’s e-government platform, which now handles 92 percent of all public services. Second, to support the development of artificial intelligence engines and models, a priority long championed by the president.

Tokayev, who introduced a national AI development strategy through 2029, called the project a major step in the digitalisation of Kazakhstan’s economy and science. Officials say it will help modernise public services and make data more accessible and secure.

“This is an image-boosting project. Kazakhstan presents itself in the international arena as a country which has access to modern technologies and knows how to use them,” said Boris Potapchuk, a senior expert at Nazarbayev University.

Experts also expect the new AI cluster to streamline fragmented state databases and improve budget efficiency.

However, data security remains a concern. A recent breach reportedly exposed personal data of up to 16 million citizens. An investigation is underway, with early findings suggesting private databases were the source.

Despite challenges, Kazakhstan ranks 24th in the world in e-government services according to the 2024 UN E-Government Development Index. A new AI law was passed in 2024, and a national AI committee has been formed to steer the sector’s growth.

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