Astana – Majlis, the House of Representatives, approved the Artificial Intelligence bill in its first reading on May 14th, indicating the country’s intention to establish a legal framework for the development and use of AI technology.
Photo Credit: AssemblySoftWare.com
Rapid development of AI present There are both important opportunities and serious risks, and one of the main challenges is the lack of legal regulations. The new bill aims to fill that gap.
Schorpin Saimova, head of the Public Legislation and Administrative Centre of the Congressional Institute under the Presidential Administration
Sholpan Saimova, director of the Parliamentary Institute’s Public Legislation and Administration Centre, noted that the law demonstrates Kazakhstan’s perception of the global challenges posed by AI and efforts to create systematic responses.
“This bill reflects major global trends in AI regulation. Many countries have adopted a systematic approach to AI governance. The EU AI law, adopted in 2024, serves as the world’s first risk-based AI law and is a model for countries like Kazakhstan.”
Kazakhstan said it wanted not only to catch up, but also to lead in a nationally coordinated framework that promotes trust between humans and algorithms, between technological advancements and the rule of law. The bill focuses on legal and ethical foundations to ensure responsible AI development that benefits society.
Data Security and Public Safety
At the heart of the proposed law is a human-centric approach, viewing AI as a tool that must serve people and protect the public interest. Core principles include prioritizing legality, fairness, equality, transparency, explanability, accountability, and human happiness.
“The principles of transparency and explanability ensure that AI-driven decisions are understandable and verifiable, especially when they affect citizens’ rights. The focus on human well-being emphasizes that technology should not replace people and not override individual autonomy,” Saimova said.
“This approach clearly shows that Kazakhstan is not pursuing a reckless competition for progress, but instead creates a responsible system centered around human rights and social well-being,” she added.
Saimova pointed out that the bill was developed through a wide range of collaborations. Agents, ministry representatives, legal experts, IT experts and economists all contributed to the draft. Organizations such as Atameken National Chamber of Antrepreneurs, Kazakhtelecom, The National Information Technologies, Digital Kazakhstan Association, Kazakhstan’s IT Companies Association, and Yandex Qazaqstan joined the working group.
“It is encouraged that discussion is openly and constructively with opinions from all stakeholders, from companies to developers,” she said.
The bill includes provisions to ensure the safety of AI users, protect personal data and ensure transparency.
“AI systems stipulate that data protection and confidentiality standards must be met and prohibit the unauthorized collection, storage or distribution of personal information. Working groups are also considering introducing criminal liability for mass or automated processing of personal data that puts a large number of people at risk,” Saimova said.
Create a smart AI jurisdiction
Evgeny Pitolin, Managing Director of DataStar and co-chair of the QazTech Alliance’s Information Security Committee, also discussed the possibility of a bill creating specialized AI jurisdiction for Kazakhstan.
“Kazakhstan could become the world’s second-largest country to regulate AI through independent laws. If implemented correctly, the bill could accelerate the adoption of AI in all sectors, from construction and oil production to high-tech industries.
Pitlin highlighted three key principles embedded in the bill. These include transparency and decision-making in AI algorithms, prioritizing human well-being over technology, and ensuring data and cybersecurity. He emphasized that these are essential, especially when AI is integrated into critical infrastructure or when it is used by government agencies.
“Five years ago, countries hesitated to regulate AI for fear of hampering innovation. Today, it is clear that a lack of surveillance will lead to public distrust, security risks and digital inequality,” he said.
Unlike some countries, Pitlin noted that the country’s bill avoids excessive restrictions, adopts a differentiated approach, and imposes stricter regulations only on autonomous, high-risk AI systems.
He said the bill addresses urgent threats such as deepfakes, AI-driven consumer fraud and unauthorized access to data. The law will increase the liability of developers and AI system owners if harm occurs to citizens’ rights, health or safety.
Talent transformation
Beyond legal implications, Pitlin stressed that the law would likely restructure Kazakhstan’s IT labor market and affect cybersecurity investments. One important outcome is the need for extensive retraining, especially in areas such as data processing, AI system design, and digital security.
“The law indirectly drives education reform, because technology experts who don’t update big data, prompts and skills that leave AI risks are not because AI can’t adapt, not because they replace them,” he said.
He added that there will be a growing demand for experts who combine that with legal regulatory expertise and those who can not only code code but also navigate the ethical aspects of working in a digital environment.
