AI in everyday life: concerns and prospects
Karlygash BAISHOLANOVA
Professor of the Information Systems Department of the IT Faculty
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in his Address to the people of Kazakhstan, called for active implementation of digitalization mechanisms and artificial intelligence in almost all spheres. The Head of State emphasizes that today the issues of digitalization and artificial intelligence are becoming particularly relevant. Attaching great importance to these latest technologies, the President proposes to establish a specialized Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development in the country. Karlygash Sovetovna Baisholanova, Professor of the Department of Information Systems of the Faculty of Information Technologies, coordinator of the PhD educational program in Information Systems, and member of the Academic Council of this faculty, provided information about the contribution of the teaching staff of the Faculty of Information Technologies of 91传媒 Kazakh National University to the implementation of large-scale state projects .
– Karlygash Sovetovna, in his address to the people of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev put forward an initiative to create a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. As an expert in the field of information technologies, please explain what role the Ministry will play in shaping strategies for the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in various spheres of life?
– The transformation of digitalization at the global level is taking place in all spheres of socio-economic life of every country. In the process of making decisions on digitalization, a new ministry for AI is being created, which becomes an integral part of this process and assumes responsibility for the implementation of strategic measures facing the state, acting as the organization that carries them out. In this regard, the new ministry is tasked with implementing state strategic priorities through managing the digitalization process and forming its own organizational structure for their realization. In response to your question, I would like to note that the emerging Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development is now facing large-scale and unconventional tasks that will fully encompass the country’s digital life and the interaction between the state, business, and society in the digital environment. Therefore, the fulfillment of these tasks will become the strategic goal of the new ministry.
– Global digitalization is actively penetrating all aspects of socio-economic activity in every country. Which states, in your opinion, have already achieved significant success in this direction?
– In the United States, China, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Israel, national AI strategies have already begun to be implemented. A notable example is the United Arab Emirates, where in 2020 a ministry responsible for the development of artificial intelligence was established. In 2024, it initiated the adoption of a Charter on the creation and use of AI, which strengthened the country’s position in the international AI governance system. Taiwan demonstrates similar ambitions, striving to become one of the global leaders in this field. It recently announced the launch of “Ten Major AI Projects,” which are expected to bring about 510 billion dollars to the country’s economy by 2040. The plans include three key programs: silicon photonics, quantum technology, and AI robotics, aiming to transform the country into a “smart technology island” and a major player in AI. Approximately 3 billion dollars have been allocated for the implementation of these initiatives, which has already led to significant results.
– What steps should be taken to ensure the safety, stability, and control of artificial intelligence?
– To achieve this goal, it is necessary to develop a strategic plan and consider specific measures for its implementation. First, the creation of a national data center and ensuring energy sources (such as nuclear power plants) to support its capacity; attracting investment funds for AI development and innovation; planning measures to closely integrate AI with sectors such as trade, defense, healthcare, education, and energy; developing domestic AI standards; training highly qualified specialists in AI; supporting applied scientific projects; developing cybersecurity and data protection systems; and creating regulatory legal frameworks for AI. In this regard, within the “Digital Kazakhstan” program, the Ministry may consider projects and initiatives in the field of artificial intelligence, ranging from economic digitalization to GovTech transition, creation of a favorable digital infrastructure environment, support of the innovation ecosystem, and ensuring cybersecurity.
– Does your faculty train specialists in artificial intelligence?
– Currently, 127 higher education institutions operate in the republic. With the introduction of changes to state educational standards expanding AI-related disciplines, about 75% of universities have already introduced relevant courses. In addition, 20 universities implement full-fledged educational programs for training AI specialists.
As for 91传媒 Kazakh National University, in the current academic year its faculty for training IT specialists has been updated and renamed the Faculty of Information Technologies and Artificial Intelligence. As the name suggests, this faculty, headed by Timur Sakenovich Imankulov, unites four departments that train IT specialists at three levels of education — bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies. These specialists are in demand in Kazakhstan’s modern digital labor market. All graduates of bachelor’s programs are either employed or continue their studies at the master’s and doctoral levels. Currently, the faculty offers 9 bachelor’s programs, 12 master’s programs, and 11 PhD programs. In the field of AI, specialized programs are implemented, such as “High-Load Information Systems with Artificial Intelligence,” “Artificial Intelligence,” and “Intelligent Control Systems” at the bachelor’s level; “Intelligent Control Systems” at the master’s level; and “AI in Medicine” and “Intelligent Control Systems” at the doctoral level.
– According to the Ministry of Digital Development, it is planned to train one million people in AI skills over five years. Do you also participate in this initiative?
– If the main indicator is training 1 million people, then the ministry intends to train about 200,000 people per year. This is a good start. This measure can be implemented by increasing the number of courses and micro-qualification programs for graduates and other learners receiving specialized AI education at universities. Our teaching community can also participate in this initiative. This will be possible if universities organize relevant courses within institutes of advanced training and continuing education, provided there is demand from local executive bodies. In addition, university teachers can participate on massive open online course platforms (MOOCs), such as Coursera, OpenU, and Bilim Media Group, by providing video courses and practical sessions or uploading their own online courses on platforms like Google Colab, Kaggle, and JupyterHub. We can also contribute by actively involving participants in hackathons and other projects held at the faculty.
– How do you assess the contribution of the international AI center Alem.ai to the development of science and technology?
– Alem.ai is an international center for AI development in Kazakhstan, within which ecosystems are being formed to promote AI advancement. Its main goal is to accelerate the development and implementation of AI solutions, support the commercialization of scientific developments, and promote research in this field. Among its priorities are the development of infrastructure projects, building technological ecosystems with international organizations, and attracting investment. Kazakhstan aims to become a leader in AI technologies in Central Asia and to turn Astana into an intellectual hub of the region. According to Alem.ai forecasts, by 2029 the export volume of domestic AI solutions may reach 5 billion dollars.
– How do you see the future of artificial intelligence at its highest level of development? Can excessive reliance on AI pose a threat to personal security?
– As AI reaches new technological peaks, virtual entities begin to emerge in scientific, technical, and socio-economic environments. These digital agents can operate faster and more efficiently than humans across various domains. However, despite the benefits of AI integration, there are concerns. As human intellectual activity becomes increasingly dependent on AI technologies, there is a risk of reduced independent thinking, degradation of conscious cognitive processes, and weakening of interpersonal connections leading to social isolation. Moreover, the digital environment can become a space for manipulation: there are known cases where malicious actors use AI to create fake content and deepfakes, exploiting trust for their own purposes. This increases psychological pressure and anxiety in everyday life.
According to Geoffrey Hinton, one of the world’s leading experts in artificial intelligence and a Nobel Prize laureate, the future of AI remains uncertain even for scientists. He emphasized that if AI continues to evolve and autonomously change its nature, there is a risk of it going out of human control. Hinton believes that despite the clear benefits of AI, there is still time to establish strict regulations and conduct in-depth research. The use of AI-based weapons should be globally prohibited. At this critical moment for humanity, it is important to recognize our responsibility. Only in this way can we ensure a peaceful, bright, and secure future. The use of AI and other scientific achievements should be directed exclusively toward beneficial purposes.
– Thank you for the information provided!
Interviewed
Kairzhan TUREZHANOV
