ASTANA – Kazakhstan can turn its strengths in energy, mining, transport and industrial operations into an AI competitive advantage by investing in infrastructure, encouraging local talent and supporting entrepreneurs. In an interview with The AT, NVIDIA Vice President of Physical AI Simulation Rev Lebaredian said access to intelligence will influence where companies are built, where research happens and how productive an economy can become.
President Tokayev holds meeting with NVIDIA VP Lebaredian in Astana on October 1. Photo credit: Akorda. During his visit to Kazakhstan this October, Lebaredian held talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev about the company’s plans for Kazakhstan’s AI infrastructure development, as the nation has already launched two supercomputer clusters based on NVIDIA technologies.
The country has emerged as the second market for US-based AI infrastructure company Firebird and NVIDIA, which are developing a computing facility in Ekibastuz. The project envisages developing computing infrastructure with a capacity of approximately 300 megawatt, with the potential to expand to 1 gigawatt.
In a Q&A interview below, Lebaredian discussed the infrastructure needed to support the transition, the opportunities AI agents and physical AI offer local businesses and why access to computing, practical education and opportunities for young entrepreneurs to solve real-world problems will be critical to building a sustainable AI ecosystem.
Kazakhstan is developing its AI ecosystem, from public-sector digitalization to private-sector innovation. From NVIDIA’s perspective, what are the country’s key strengths today, and what capabilities could be strengthened further as Kazakhstan develops its AI ecosystem?
Kazakhstan is thinking about AI at the level of national development. President Tokayev’s vision recognizes that this technology will shape the economy and the opportunities available to the next generation. The country has energy resources, substantial industries and people who understand difficult physical problems.
Mining, energy, manufacturing and logistics are all places where AI can create tremendous value. The next step is to connect those strengths. Computing infrastructure should be accessible to entrepreneurs, researchers and students. Industrial companies should become customers and development partners for local teams.
Universities should give people opportunities to build with technology. I would put particular emphasis on entrepreneurship. A country captures more of the opportunity when its people create the products and companies that others use. Kazakhstan has an opportunity to develop that capability and serve markets far beyond its borders.
AI infrastructure is becoming a critical factor in a country’s ability to develop and deploy AI. What infrastructure does Kazakhstan need to build or strengthen — including computing capacity, data centers and networking — to support the next stage of its AI development?
AI is becoming essential infrastructure. Access to intelligence will influence where companies are built, where research happens and how productive an economy can become.