Almaty in Kazakhstan is making confident strides in digital transformation by building a comprehensive "smart city" infrastructure powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
A key element of this strategy has been the development of the Unified Video Surveillance System (UVSS), launched in 2023 using the AI video analytics platform TargetEYE.
According to the city’s Department of Digitalisation, the project is considered unique not only within Kazakhstan but across Central Asia.
At present, the platform is connected to over 50,000 public surveillance cameras, including 2,200 equipped with facial recognition technology.
By the end of 2025, the number of integrated cameras is expected to reach at least 70,000. All video streams are centralised through the city’s Situation Centre, enabling real-time monitoring and rapid response to public safety threats, while also supporting infrastructure oversight.
AI-driven algorithms can detect crowd formations, identify suspicious behaviour, recognise physical altercations, weapons, fire and smoke, and assist in locating individuals and vehicles based on descriptive data.
This provides law enforcement with an effective tool for swift action.
Road infrastructure monitoring is also a key focus. Since October last year, Almaty has implemented an AI-based project to assess road conditions using data from dashboard cameras installed in public buses and emergency vehicles.
The system processes over 500,000 video analytics events daily, allowing for a proactive approach to municipal service management.
Social infrastructure is equally integrated into this digital ecosystem. More than 13,000 cameras are installed in schools, around 9,000 in kindergartens and approximately 5,000 in healthcare facilities.
All video streams are directed to the Operational Control Centre of Almaty’s Police Department. In 2025 alone, over 150 arrests were made with the help of AI video analytics, including individuals listed on international wanted databases.
The technology also plays a role in day-to-day operations. For instance, AI modules are used to count the number of children attending school canteens, showcasing its utility in logistics, safety and accountability.
The development of digital skills is another strategic priority. A year-long AI education programme has been launched for school students in Almaty.
Ten thousand pupils from public schools will undergo training, and the top one thousand participants will qualify as junior developers. These students are expected to produce 1,000 digital products aimed at solving real urban challenges.
Artificial intelligence remains a national priority. In August, the President of Kazakhstan praised the work of the Government and the Akimat of Astana during a high-level meeting on AI development.
He instructed officials to urgently expand the successful Smart City initiative to other major cities across the country. In Astana, for example, 53 billion tenge has already been invested in the project.
Bangladesh has called for increased climate financing and faster delivery of support to vulnerable nations, arguing that current global funding commit...
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into "infinity, despite Tehran's denials, and that unfrozen Iranian asset...
Apple is facing a £3 billion lawsuit in the United Kingdom after a competition tribunal approved a major collective action over its iCloud storage se...
Iran has strengthened ties with regional partners and agreed a roadmap for technical talks with the U.S. aimed at securing a final peace agreement wit...
Belgium has issued 24-hour visas to a Taliban delegation attending European Union migration talks in Brussels, as EU member states explore ways to ret...
Bangladesh has called for increased climate financing and faster delivery of support to vulnerable nations, arguing that current global funding commitments fall far short of what developing countries need to tackle the growing impacts of climate change.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into "infinity, despite Tehran's denials, and that unfrozen Iranian assets would be used to buy humanitarian supplies from the United States.
Apple is facing a £3 billion lawsuit in the United Kingdom after a competition tribunal approved a major collective action over its iCloud storage service.
Iran has strengthened ties with regional partners and agreed a roadmap for technical talks with the U.S. aimed at securing a final peace agreement within two months.
At least thirteen people have died and sixty-six have been injured following an explosion at Qatar's main liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing hub at Ras Laffan, authorities said on Sunday.
Cape Verde’s remarkable FIFA World Cup debut continued on Sunday (21 June) as the tournament newcomers held Uruguay to a 2-2 draw. Goalkeeper Vozinha was once again at the centre of the story, this time with his mother watching from the stands.
Tehran has agreed to let the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommence inspections of its nuclear programme, U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said. The U.S. and Iran have settled on a 60-day roadmap aimed at reaching a final deal, according to mediators Qatar and Pakistan.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed on a landmark internet deal that will allow traffic to pass through Azerbaijani networks.It's the latest deal to highlight the ongoing peace process between the two countries.
A Ukrainian strike has damaged a school building in a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, according to local authorities cited by the TASS news agency. No injuries were reported in the incident.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into "infinity, despite Tehran's denials, and that unfrozen Iranian assets would be used to buy humanitarian supplies from the United States.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced a loan of up to $25 million to support energy-efficiency upgrades at Tashkent Pipe Plant (TPP), one of Uzbekistan’s leading private steel producers.
For Pakistan, helping create space for dialogue between the U.S. and Iran was never solely about diplomacy. It was about avoiding the economic and security consequences of a wider regional conflict.
The visit also took on symbolic importance as the two leaders travelled to the liberated cities of Shusha and Fuzuli, areas Azerbaijan regained after decades of occupation.
A United Nations official has warned that efforts to stabilise southern Syria remain stalled nearly a year after deadly sectarian violence in Sweida province, with tensions between Druze factions, Bedouin communities and state authorities still unresolved.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment