ASTANA – Artificial intelligence is increasingly shifting beyond text and image generation into art, design and immersive digital experiences. For Kazakhstan, this development presents an opportunity to adopt new technologies, but also rethink the role of creativity in the country’s emerging digital economy.
Nicola Plant, an artist, researcher and lecturer at the Creative Computing Institute (CCI) at the University of the Arts London (UAL) in the United Kingdom (UK), delivered a lecture on AI, creative computing and arts in Astana on Sept. 30. The event formed part of AI Month 2026 and AI & Digital Bridge 2026.
Nicola Plant, an artist, researcher and lecturer at the Creative Computing Institute (CCI) at the University of the Arts London (UAL) in the United Kingdom (UK). Photo credit: Born Nomad According to Aika Alemi, founder and director of Born Nomad, one of the main challenges for Kazakhstan and other countries in the region is the perception that art is primarily entertainment rather than a business.
“Creative computing and creative AI technologies have huge potential, and it’s still untapped,” Alemi said. She also noted that technology and creativity increasingly operate together. Digital products, augmented reality and immersive technologies rely on creative decisions involving design, color, visual language and user experience.
“We just need to recognize art as the next frontier of making money and as the space where creativity and genuine human innovation come together,” Alemi said. The growing use of AI makes this connection more visible. Generative AI can support emerging artists and designers as they experiment with new forms of visuals and digital expression.
Technologies such as virtual reality, motion capture and interactive installations also create new ways for audiences to understand the art. Creative computing brings these fields together by combining technology, coding, design and artistic practices. For Alemi, recognizing the economic value of creativity is essential for developing the industry.
She pointed to the UK’s creative industries as an example of how creativity can contribute to the wider economy when it receives recognition as an economic activity rather than just entertainment. “Creativity is the engine and it’s the source of everything that’s happening in technology,” she mentioned.
For Kazakhstan, this approach could create new opportunities across digital media, gaming, design, film and immersive technologies. It could also create a demand for a workforce that combines technological knowledge with creative skills.