Kazakhstan is set to introduce artificial intelligence in its school system as soon as September 1, 2026. The initiative follows a presidential decree signed by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on measures to introduce AI into the country’s secondary education system.
According to Assyl Tuimebayev, head of a division within Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Enlightenment, the government’s 2026–2029 roadmap will focus on personalised learning, teacher training, digital infrastructure and data security.
“This is not just about introducing technologies, but about modernising the entire educational ecosystem,” Tuimebayev said.
Authorities describe the initiative as a strategic investment in human capital and the country’s long-term economic competitiveness.
Pilot programme to begin in rural schools
The first phase will pilot AI models in 10 small minimally equipped rural schools in the northern region of Pavlodar and the southern region of Kyzylorda.
The next step will be expanding the pilot to 50 more schools and then to 440 more schools by January 2027, reaching overall 500 institutions out of more than 8,000 across the country.
Initially, AI-supported learning tools will be tested in fourth-grade classes for subjects including Kazakh language, mathematics and digital literacy.
While younger students will learn how to safely and responsibly use digital technologies, older student's curriculum will focus on developing data analysis, critical thinking and other skills necessary in the digital economy.
The ministry also says AI systems will analyse students’ learning pace, strengths and weaknesses in order to generate personalised assignments and recommendations.
"If a student is struggling with a particular topic, the system will offer additional explanations and exercises. Conversely, if the student is ahead of the curriculum, they may be offered more challenging assignments," Tuimebayev explained.
Officials say the reform is particularly aimed at reducing educational inequality between urban and rural areas, where teacher shortages and limited access to educational resources remain a challenge.
The government has already assessed schools’ digital readiness, including internet connectivity, technical equipment and staffing capacity. Authorities say infrastructure upgrades in rural areas will continue alongside the AI rollout.
Teachers remain central to education
President Tokayev and the ministry insist that AI will not replace teachers, but rather serve as a support tool.
“A teacher is not only a source of knowledge, but also an educator, a motivator, and a key figure in shaping of a student's personality,” Tuimebayev said.
The government says AI could help educators reduce administrative workloads by automating lesson preparation, generating assignments tailored to student ability and assisting with assessment analysis, but "it cannot replace the emotional intelligence of a teacher and their educational role."
According to the ministry, more than 350,000 teachers have already completed training on the effective use of AI in education. Additional training programmes for pilot schools are planned this summer.
"When choosing technologies, the priorities are safety, content quality, and age-appropriateness for children," Tuimebayev noted.
Officials are also considering the development of a national AI platform tailored to Kazakhstan’s educational standards, language requirements and data protection rules.
Concerns over critical thinking and data security
The expansion of AI in schools comes amid broader global debates about the risks of overreliance on generative AI tools and their impact on critical thinking, academic integrity and child safety.
Kazakh authorities say schools will focus on teaching students how to critically evaluate AI-generated information rather than simply rely on it.
“The school's main goal is not only to teach children how to use AI, but also how to critically evaluate information, verify facts, and understand the limitations of technology,” Tuimebayev said.
The ministry also stressed that data protection would be a central priority. Officials plan to introduce standards governing AI use in schools, academic honesty requirements and strict rules for storing and processing children’s personal data.
Long-term economic ambitions
Officials acknowledge that the economic impact of the education reform will not be immediately measurable. However, they argue that the initiative is designed to strengthen Kazakhstan’s future workforce and accelerate the country’s transition toward a knowledge-based economy.
In the long term, officials expect the reforms could help raise labour productivity, boost innovation, increase the population's income and the government's tax revenues, reduce state social expenditures, while reducing skills shortages in high-tech and knowledge-intensive industries.
