Kazakhstan President Criticizes Slow AI Integration in Education

Kazakhstan's President has voiced strong criticism over the delayed implementation of a decree mandating the integration of artificial intelligence into the nation's education system. Addressing the issue ahead of the new school year, he described the situation as a "major oversight" and unacceptable in an era of rapid technological advancement.

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However, its implementation ahead of the new school year has not been adequately ensured. This is a major oversight. What is the reason? Regardless, this is unacceptable in an era of rapid technological advancement.

President Tokayev stressed that artificial intelligence and its associated tools should be fundamentally understood as instruments for generating economic and financial income, rather than mere diversions. He outlined a vision for Kazakhstan to transition from a "digital state" to a "digital public economy," where technology directly contributes to citizens' livelihoods.

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In other words, artificial intelligence and its tools are not fun toys, but means of earning a living. That is how it should be.

To achieve this, the President called for urgent and effective measures to systematize and correctly apply AI among students and teachers. He specifically directed the government to implement a standard for AI use in secondary and vocational education, mirroring the inter-university standard already in place for higher education, which accounts for ethical, legal, and organizational aspects. The President also indicated that future policy will focus on enabling young people, even in rural areas, to use digital tools, including smartphones, to generate regular income.

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In higher education, an inter-university standard is already in place, accounting for the ethical, legal, and organizational aspects of AI use. The Government needs to implement a similar standard in secondary and vocational education systems.