2025, December 10
Share this articleISSAI hosted the ISSAI Momentum event at Nazarbayev University’s Main Hall, welcoming over 150 guests from government, academia, IT companies, NGOs, international organizations, and diplomatic missions.
The event showcased the latest advancements in artificial intelligence developed entirely by Kazakhstani experts, demonstrating Kazakhstan’s commitment to technical independence, linguistic inclusivity, and cultural alignment.
ISSAI unveiled a suite of next-generation AI products designed for real-world applications:
The program included live demonstrations, Q&A sessions, and showcases of real-world AI applications.
Dr. Waqar Ahmad, President of Nazarbayev University, opened the event, highlighting ISSAI’s role as a leading research institute shaping Kazakhstan’s AI landscape. He emphasized the institute’s contributions to NU’s international standing and Times Higher Education (THE) rankings, remarking: "Events like ISSAI Momentum remind us why universities matter. They create spaces where ideas are tested, collaboration thrives, and science serves people."
Dr. Huseyin Atakan Varol, ISSAI Founding Director, reflected on the journey of establishing a generative AI ecosystem in Kazakhstan: "Today, we are proud to present a full generative AI stack tailored to Kazakhstan’s national needs. Our researchers demonstrate that Kazakhstani talent can compete on the global AI stage."
Deputy Director of Product and External Affairs, Amina Baikenova, underscored the importance of creating AI that reflects national culture and values. “Our AI is not just code—it is our heritage, our language, our visual identity. Technologies like Oylan and Beynele give Kazakhstan digital sovereignty, while Mangisoz and TilSync break down communication barriers,” she said.
Data scientist Rakhat Meiramov led live demonstrations of Oylan, MangiSoz, and Beynele, showcasing their multimodal capabilities, expressive speech generation, real-time translation, and document-based RAG search. He invited attendees to explore ISSAI’s AI Playground, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and user feedback in improving AI performance: "These models exist thanks to the dedication of our specialists, quality data, and computational resources. We encourage all users to test, experiment, and provide feedback to advance our AI ecosystem."
ISSAI Momentum reflected the institute’s commitment to openness and collaboration, fostering dialogue between researchers, government officials, industry leaders, and international partners. The institute announced its intention to share annual updates on its AI products, maintaining transparency and engagement with all stakeholders.
