Kazakhstan leads Central Asia in global AI readiness ranking

Kazakhstan has made a notable advance in the global Government AI Readiness Index, moving up to 60th place out of 195 countries in the 2025.

In the ranking compiled by Oxford Insights, the country has risen by 16 positions compared with the previous assessment, pointing to a year of intensified institutional and policy development in the field of artificial intelligence.

At a regional level, Kazakhstan now leads Central Asia in terms of government readiness to adopt and manage AI technologies.

The index evaluates how effectively states are positioned to deploy artificial intelligence across public administration, the economy and social systems, while also assessing their capacity to ensure the safe, responsible and sustainable development of these technologies.

The updated methodology places particular emphasis on the role of government, ranging from strategic planning and regulation to the practical integration of AI into public sector activity.

Against this backdrop, Kazakhstan’s improved standing reflects the strengthening of its institutional base and the expanding use of AI-driven solutions within state bodies.

One of the country’s strongest performances was recorded under the Public Sector Adoption pillar, where Kazakhstan scored 73.59 points.

This result points to the widespread application of digital solutions in public services, the continued development of e-government platforms and a gradual shift towards more proactive, data-led service delivery for citizens and businesses.

Oxford Insights also highlights Kazakhstan’s relatively advanced digital and telecommunications infrastructure as a structural advantage.

High levels of internet penetration, national digital platforms and a mature ecosystem of electronic government services are seen as providing a solid foundation for scaling AI solutions nationwide and embedding them more deeply into public administration and the broader economy.

Beyond infrastructure, the report underlines Kazakhstan’s political and governance readiness.

The presence of strategic policy documents, the formation of a dedicated regulatory framework and sustained institutional attention to artificial intelligence have enabled the country to pursue a more consistent and long-term state policy in this area.

These trends coincide with a series of legislative and institutional changes introduced in 2025.

In November, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed Kazakhstan’s law on artificial intelligence, establishing the country’s first comprehensive legal framework for the sector.

Earlier, parliament approved the legislation, which addresses issues ranging from ethics and safety to the promotion of digital innovation.

At the same time, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry was transformed into a dedicated Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, signalling the government’s intention to elevate AI to a central policy priority.

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