Kazakhstan Initiates AI Legislation with Proposed Draft Bill
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📍 Astana, Kazakhstan - The lower house of Parliament, Mazhilis, has given a thumbs-up to a draft law on artificial intelligence in its initial reading on May 14, a move signaling the nation's intent to establish a legal framework for AI technology development and use.
The accelerating growth of AI presents significant opportunities and potential risks, with one of the major issues being the lack of legal oversight. The new bill targets this gap.
Sholpan Saimova, head of the Center for Public Legislation and Public Administration at the Institute of Parliamentarism, stated that this law underscores Kazakhstan's understanding of the global AI challenges and its commitment to formulate a thoughtful response.
"The bill reflects the global trends in AI regulation. Numerous countries have adopted strategic approaches to AI governance. The EU's AI Act, adopted in 2024, is the world's first legislative act based on risk assessment and has already become a role model for countries like Kazakhstan," Saimova said in an interview with The Astana Times.
Kazakhstan's goal isn't merely to keep pace but to lead with a domestically designed framework that fosters human-machine trust and harmony between technological advancement and the rule of law. The bill concentrates on legal and ethical fundamentals to ensure responsible AI development that benefits society.
Focus on Data Security and Public Interest
At the core of the proposed law is a human-centric approach, viewing AI as a tool that serves people and prioritizes public interest. Key principles include legality, fairness, equality, transparency, explanatory power, accountability, and prioritization of human well-being.
"Transparency and explanatory power ensure that AI-driven decisions are comprehensible and verifiable, particularly when they impact citizens' rights. The emphasis on human well-being indicates that technology should empower, rather than replace, people and should not undermine individual autonomy," stated Saimova.
"This approach underscores that Kazakhstan is not embarking on a reckless tech race, but instead creating a responsible system centered on human rights and social welfare," she added.
According to Saimova, the bill emerged from collaborative efforts. Parliamentarians, ministry officials, legal experts, IT professionals, and economists contributed to shaping the draft. organizations like the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, Kazakhtelecom, the National Information Technologies, the Digital Kazakhstan Association, Kazakhstan's IT Companies Association, and Yandex Qazaqstan joined the working group.
"It's encouraging to see constructive discussions taking place among all stakeholders, including businesses and developers," she said.
The law incorporates measures to secure the safety of AI users, protect personal data, and ensure transparency.
"It mandates that AI systems adhere to data protection and privacy standards and bans the unauthorized collection, storage, or distribution of personal information. The working group is also considering introducing penalties for mass or automated personal data processing that endangers large numbers of people," said Saimova.
Building a Smart AI Jurisdiction
Evgeny Pitolin, Datastar's managing director and co-chairman of the Information Security Committee of the QazTech Alliance, also discussed the potential of the bill to establish a specialized AI jurisdiction in Kazakhstan.
"Kazakhstan could become the second nation in the world to regulate AI through a standalone law. If implemented correctly, the bill could speed up AI adoption across all sectors, from construction and oil extraction to high-tech industries, by providing a clear legal foundation where digitalization was previously stalled," Pitolin told The Astana Times.
Pitolin highlighted three essential principles embedded in the draft law. They include transparency of AI algorithms and decision-making, prioritizing human well-being, and ensuring data and cybersecurity. He emphasized that these principles are vital, particularly when AI is integrated into critical infrastructure or used by government agencies, which require increased openness and accountability.
"Five years ago, countries hesitated to regulate AI for fear of hampering innovation. Today, it's apparent that a lack of regulation leads to public skepticism, security risks, and digital disparity," he said.
Unlike some countries, Pitolin noted, Kazakhstan's draft law avoids excessive constraints and adopts a differentiated approach, imposing stricter rules only on high-risk, autonomous AI systems.
He added that the bill addresses time-sensitive issues like deepfakes, AI-enabled consumer fraud, and unauthorized data access, which are being addressed in conjunction with amendments to the Administrative Code and other digital legislation. The law would increase liability for developers and AI system owners when harm is caused to citizens' rights, health, or safety.
Shifting the IT Sector
Moving beyond its legal consequences, Pitolin highlighted that the law would reshape the IT sector in Kazakhstan. One significant result will be the need for widespread skill enhancement, particularly in areas like data management, AI system design, and digital security.
"The legislation subtly encourages educational reform. Tech professionals who fail to hone their skills in big data, machine learning, and AI risk being left behind, not because AI will replace them, but because they won't have the ability to adapt," he said.
He further stated that demand will rise for professionals who possess expertise in both IT and legal regulations, as well as specialists who can code ethically in digital environments.
The draft law on artificial intelligence in Kazakhstan emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in AI technology, with a focus on prioritizing human well-being and safeguarding personal data. Evgeny Pitolin, Datastar's managing director, suggests that the law, if implemented correctly, could establish Kazakhstan as a second nation to regulate AI through a standalone law, thereby accelerating AI adoption across various sectors and reshaping the IT sector through skill enhancement and ethical coding.
