Kazakhstan’s artificial intelligence (AI) startup ecosystem has experienced notable growth in recent years, with more than 100 AI-focused startups currently operating across the country, according to the Ministry of AI and Digital Development, as reported by Qazinform News Agency.
Venture investment in the sector has increased more than fivefold between 2023 and 2025, rising from approximately $14mn to $73mn. AI accounted for over half of all venture investments in Kazakhstan during this period.
The Ministry noted that AI adoption is expected to contribute an additional 0.5–2% to annual GDP growth in the medium term by enhancing productivity across more than half of all jobs. Vice Minister of AI and Digital Development Dmitry Mun highlighted that Kazakhstan is implementing a comprehensive, institutionally anchored AI strategy, which includes the preparation of a specialized Law on Artificial Intelligence, the creation of a National AI Platform, the development of sovereign computing, support for Kazakh-language large language model (LLM) programs, the launch of the international AI center Alem.ai, and large-scale human capital development initiatives.
By 2025, approximately 1mn people had received AI-related training, with a target of equipping 5mn citizens with basic and advanced AI skills by 2030.
Most AI startups in Kazakhstan focus on applied B2B solutions and operate in both domestic and international markets. The highest concentration of companies is in enterprise AI and business automation, Industry 4.0, MarTech, EdTech, and MedTech. In 2025, the ecosystem reached a notable milestone with the emergence of its first AI unicorn, Higgsfield AI. The year also saw the largest Bridge and Series A investment deals in the country’s AI sector to date.
Earlier Daryo reported that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed Uzbekistan’s progress in AI and the startup ecosystem, highlighting that the country now hosts over 750 startups, 15 venture funds, and $180mn in venture capital, with the ecosystem valued at $3.9bn and recognized as the fastest-growing in Central Asia and second globally.
