Kazakhstan was the first in Central Asia to adopt the law on AI — digital leadership or a challenge?

On September 24, the Mazhilis approved the first framework law on Artificial Intelligence. Now the country's digital economy has clear rules of the game. For the first time, the new law establishes new legal concepts: "artificial intelligence", "model", "system", "data library", "synthetic result".

Three key principles:

 • For business: chatbots, GenAI, and analytics are allowed — but only with transparency, data protection, and full ownership responsibility.

• For government agencies: prohibition of social scoring and emotion analysis without consent. Launch of the National AI Platform as a single digital hub.

 • For citizens: the right to explain and appeal AI decisions is guaranteed + enhanced protection of personal data.

Kazakhstan on the global regulatory map

The hybrid model is not a copy of someone else's experience, but a unique mix:

• From the EU: protection of human rights without excessive bureaucracy AI Act

• Unlike China: relying on ethics instead of total surveillance

• Alternative to the USA: a centralized approach instead of a “wild market” 

Conclusion

Kazakhstan has chosen European ethics + Asian infrastructure + business pragmatism. This is a chance to become a regional hub for a secure digital economy.

The main challenge: it all depends on the speed and quality of the by-laws.