Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for fair, inclusive and human-centered global governance of artificial intelligence at the opening of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. The views expressed by the Kazakh President on human-centric AI mirror those of India.
“No country should remain merely a consumer of artificial intelligence. Every nation must have the opportunity to develop its own human capital, digital infrastructure and institutional capacity. At its core, this is a matter of fairness and equity. Our shared responsibility is to ensure that artificial intelligence serves the interests of the economy and society. At the same time, AI must remain under responsible and prudent human oversight,” Tokayev said.
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He said AI governance should cover the entire technology ecosystem, from semiconductors and data centres to ethics, education and the protection of human dignity.
The Kazakh President said artificial intelligence should be used to strengthen early warning systems, preventive diplomacy, humanitarian response and peacebuilding.
Tokayev said Kazakhstan aims to become a regional centre for technological connectivity, digital trade and innovation, citing the country's energy resources, critical minerals, transport corridors and expanding digital infrastructure.
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He referred to Kazakhstan's national AI agenda, including the declaration of 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, the adoption of the AI Law and the Digital Code, the implementation of the Smart City platform in Astana, and the development of Alatau as Central Asia's first fully integrated digital city under a special legal framework designed to attract global technology companies and investors.
Tokayev also announced that Almaty will host the United Nations ESCAP Asia-Pacific Digital Solutions Center for Sustainable Development.
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“No country should remain merely a consumer of artificial intelligence. Every nation must have the opportunity to develop its own human capital, digital infrastructure and institutional capacity. At its core, this is a matter of fairness and equity. Our shared responsibility is to ensure that artificial intelligence serves the interests of the economy and society. At the same time, AI must remain under responsible and prudent human oversight,” Tokayev said.
Also Read: India's IT model is out of date. Can the industry reinvent itself?
He said AI governance should cover the entire technology ecosystem, from semiconductors and data centres to ethics, education and the protection of human dignity.
The Kazakh President said artificial intelligence should be used to strengthen early warning systems, preventive diplomacy, humanitarian response and peacebuilding.
Tokayev said Kazakhstan aims to become a regional centre for technological connectivity, digital trade and innovation, citing the country's energy resources, critical minerals, transport corridors and expanding digital infrastructure.
Also Read: 'Terrified of the future': Company gives employee access to Claude AI, but its failed Microsoft Project answer leaves them questioning the AI hype
He referred to Kazakhstan's national AI agenda, including the declaration of 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, the adoption of the AI Law and the Digital Code, the implementation of the Smart City platform in Astana, and the development of Alatau as Central Asia's first fully integrated digital city under a special legal framework designed to attract global technology companies and investors.
Tokayev also announced that Almaty will host the United Nations ESCAP Asia-Pacific Digital Solutions Center for Sustainable Development.
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