Kazakhstan considers the digital agenda and Artificial Intelligence to be a priority program for the EAEU
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated this during the plenary session of the IV Eurasian Economic Forum “Strategy for Eurasian Economic Integration: Results and Prospects”, reports Ak-Orda.
The President emphasized that the Eurasian Economic Forum has proven itself to be a significant platform for meaningful dialogue on key issues of the integration association’s activities.
— Today, on the threshold of a new stage of its development, the Union rightfully occupies the position of one of the largest associations in Eurasia with a combined economic potential of 2.6 trillion dollars. Last year, the volume of mutual trade reached another record high of $98 billion, almost doubling the 2015 figure.
— At the same time, the growth rate of our countries' combined GDP has been outpacing the world average for the second year in a row. Today, our association continues to strengthen its international authority, becoming an increasingly significant player in the global economic system. In our opinion, the further development of the EAEU should be based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit and pragmatism, and serve the interests of the economies of our states. Integration in itself does not bring the desired results, since it is the result of joint work to find mutually acceptable compromises. Modern challenges require new approaches to economic development, and digital technologies play a key role here. In general, digitalization and artificial intelligence are among the priorities of our state policy. E-commerce, digital document management, automated control and logistics systems have already become integral elements of the economies of the EAEU countries. They have significantly reduced costs, accelerated the movement of goods and simplified business access to the common market. We are all witnessing rapid changes in the world as a result of total digitalization, which is the basis of a fundamental technological shift. At the center of this process is artificial intelligence - a technology that does not just increase productivity, but transforms the very principle of operation of the economy, state and society. Today, AI is being introduced into such traditional areas as communications, transport, energy, manufacturing, healthcare and education. Of course, there are negative aspects associated with the introduction of artificial intelligence. Here is ChatGPT, students use this tool, they say that some political leaders also resort to ChatGPT so that it helps them compose a proper speech, but I think that this is a side effect of AI and, in general, digitalization. According to forecasts, by 2030, digitalization and artificial intelligence can bring more than 15 trillion dollars to the global GDP, replace up to 300 million jobs, create completely new professions, - said the Head of State. According to the Kazakh leader, global competition in the field of artificial intelligence is intensifying today, and the EAEU has a historic chance to join this global process.
— In my opinion, it is important to use the window of opportunity in a timely manner to strengthen our role in the emerging digital world order. Of course, artificial intelligence also brings challenges that are typical of any technological revolution. These are risks such as inequality in access to technology, reduction of traditional jobs, limitation of digital sovereignty, including dependence on global digital monopolies. There is a danger that a small group of sufficiently highly developed countries may become leaders in global development and lead this process, while most of the modern world will end up on the sidelines. It seems to me that it is the EAEU that should lead this process or, in any case, prevent it from lagging behind, — the President emphasized.
The head of state proposed devoting one of the meetings to the issues of combining efforts in the field of artificial intelligence development during Kazakhstan's chairmanship of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council next year.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also spoke about the work carried out by Kazakhstan to strengthen the potential in this strategically important area.
- We are consistently developing the national digital infrastructure and in the very near future we will launch a supercomputer with high computing power. Its resources will be directed to scientific research, modeling, processing big data and solving complex engineering problems. A Council for the Development of Artificial Intelligence has been created in Kazakhstan, and it is planned to adopt a specialized law. These steps are aimed at forming a solid institutional basis for the use of artificial intelligence in our country, he said.
Kazakhstan pays special attention to expanding partnerships with international universities and research centers, creating an academic ecosystem for training new generation specialists. In this context, the President expressed gratitude to the Russian leadership for assistance in opening a branch of the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
— This year, the Alem.AI International Center for Artificial Intelligence will open in Astana. In addition, we are working on creating an experimental innovative zone CryptoCity, which is designed to become a center of attraction for world experts in the field of cryptocurrencies. In the pilot project, we intend to test legal and technological solutions related to the widespread use of digital assets. In general, Kazakhstan is open to cooperation and invites the EAEU countries to jointly participate in the launch of innovative clusters, technology parks and startup incubators, where scientific developments and technologies can be transformed into successful commercial solutions, — added Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
In addition, the President expressed the opinion that advanced digital technologies can give a powerful impetus to trade and economic cooperation between the countries.
— We have everything we need for this — strategic documents, accumulated experience, and an understanding of common tasks. The main thing is that we need to act in a coordinated, pragmatic, and proactive manner. I am confident that the systemic and decisive policies of states, the unification of their efforts in the Eurasian space will make artificial intelligence a source of sustainable growth and global competitiveness of our economies. We are fully committed to further strengthening and developing economic integration, and are ready for systematic joint work to build an effective, open, and dynamic Eurasian Economic Union, — the Head of State summed up.
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