Kazakh leader: SCO summit to enhance organization's role as 'source of stability'

Kazakh leader: SCO summit to enhance organization's role as 'source of stability'

Kazakhstan is making significant strides in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector by investing in AI infrastructure through its National Investment Corp. (NIC), which manages $3.4 billion. This move is part of a global trend where energy-rich states and venture capital firms are betting billions on the AI sector, despite the volatility and surging valuations [1].

The NIC, under the leadership of CEO Serikzhan Rysbekov, plans to allocate capital into infrastructure funds that include investments in AI facilities this year. The country's central bank unit sees data centers and AI architecture as a strategic path to generate stronger returns in a challenging financial environment. This investment is not limited to finance; state-run Kazakhtelecom has also launched an initiative to support the local build-out of AI infrastructure in partnership with Nvidia [1].

Nvidia's role in Kazakhstan's AI strategy is significant. The company has unveiled plans to implement light-based GPU interconnects by 2026, promising higher transfer rates and lower power consumption in next-gen AI data centers. This technology is crucial for the scalability and efficiency of AI clusters, which are growing in complexity and size [2].

The global AI market is experiencing exponential growth. Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang noted that the top four hyperscalers—Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft—alone plan to spend $600 billion annually on AI infrastructure, with the total market expected to reach trillions by the end of the decade [3]. This investment is a testament to the transformative potential of AI and underscores Kazakhstan's strategic decision to invest in this sector.

Kazakhstan's investment in AI infrastructure through its NIC is a strategic move to generate stronger returns and capitalize on the global AI boom. The country's collaboration with Nvidia and other tech giants positions it well to benefit from the growing AI market, despite the inherent risks.

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-29/artificial-intelligence-boom-lures-kazakhstan-s-oil-wealth
[2] https://theoutpost.ai/news-story/nvidia-unveils-plans-for-light-based-gpu-interconnects-by-2026-revolutionizing-ai-data-centers-19465/
[3] https://www.barchart.com/story/news/34460649/nvidia-ceo-jenson-huang-amazon-oracle-alphabet-and-microsoft-alone-plan-to-spend-600-billion-per-year-on-the-ai-revolution