Shanghai, PRC

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attended the opening ceremony of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai devoted to the theme «AI Partnership for a Brighter Future».

The Head of State remarked that this Conference is a testament to China's remarkable achievements in Artificial Intelligence.

- Today more than half of the world's AI researchers come from the People's Republic of China. Chinese innovators produce the largest share of AI patents globally, while the country's dynamic innovation ecosystem continues to drive breakthroughs across a wide range of advanced technologies, - the President said.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev supported the vision of «AI for Good and AI for All» presented on the World Artificial Intelligence Conference.

- We believe these principles should guide our collective efforts to ensure that technological progress benefits every nation. I am convinced that the future belongs to those who are able to broadly cooperate and build durable partnerships based on mutual respect and shared interests. It is therefore especially significant that President Xi Jinping has introduced to us his broad vision of building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind. Kazakhstan highly values this far-sighted concept and believes that it has particular relevance in the era of Artificial Intelligence, - The Head of State emphasized.

The President highly praised the outstanding leadership of Xi Jinping, whose strategic vision defines the development of modern China.

- In my country Chairman Xi is regarded as a great leader of historic scale who wisely and confidently leads his country in this tumultuous, unpredictable, belligerent world to the new impressive achievements for the benefit of his country and people. On October of 2029 China will mark the 80th anniversary of its establishment as People's Republic. Eighty years mean one human's life, and half of it China was fighting the devastating consequences of political and economic upheavals. And within just 40 years China made tremendous progress in its development, totally overcame poverty and became a global first-rank powerhouse with widely diversified economy, including super-high technologies. It's about a leading role of the Communist Party, the largest party in the world, and its very able, gifted leadership embodied by Chairman Xi Jinping, - Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared.

As stated by the President, AI is inevitably to become a full-fledged infrastructure industry that will design the future of economies, trade and global connectivity.

- According to UN, Investment in Artificial Intelligence infrastructure and related technologies grew by an average of 47 percent annually and the global AI market is expected to reach nearly 5 trillion dollars by 2033. Therefore, one thing seems to be clear: AI governance must become comprehensive, covering the entire chain - from semiconductors and data centers to ethics, education and human dignity. At the same time, this transformation is taking place in a period of geopolitical uncertainty and lack of trust among major nations. Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of the world spends much more efforts on handling the consequences of conflicts and does almost nothing to prevent them. Artificial Intelligence gives us a historic opportunity to change this irrational logic by fostering early warning, preventive diplomacy, humanitarian response and peacebuilding, - the Head of State claimed.

The President considers it most important that AI might become a driving force of more equitable and inclusive development.

- No country should remain only a consumer of Artificial Intelligence. Every state should have an opportunity to build its own digital infrastructure and institutional capacity. And once again, it is about justice and fairness. Our common concern and task is to ensure that Artificial Intelligence serves for economies and societies, while being remained under able and reasonable human governance. That is why Kazakhstan believes that the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization is a decision of historic significance. I am confident this Organization can become a vital pillar of a universal AI governance architecture. It should become an instrument of mutually beneficial cooperation for development and safety of people around the world, - Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized.

Next, the Head of State focused on Kazakhstan's strategic advantages in AI development. In his view, our country has all the conditions to serve as a dynamic hub for technological connectivity, digital trade and international cooperation.

- Our vast energy resources, a variety of critical minerals' deposits, transport corridors and rapidly expanding digital infrastructure create new opportunities for linking up markets, technologies and innovation ecosystems. Digital transformation is one of major areas of our national development strategy. The new Constitution of my country makes a special emphasis on AI and its extremely important role in reaching and promoting progress in sustainable development of Kazakhstan. The Constitution also guarantees every citizens' right to get personal data protection. We declared the current year as the Year of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development and launched the «Digital Kazakhstan - 2029» National strategy. And we are proud to have adopted the Law on Artificial Intelligence and new Digital Code and also to have launched the Smart city full-packed technology in Astana, in our capital. This process is expected to be widely used in all big cities of Kazakhstan. Moreover, we are putting priority on the strategic development of Alatau City as the first fully integrated digital city in Central Asia with a special legal regime fixed in the new Constitution and aimed to attract global technology companies, investors and innovators, first of all, from China, - the President noted.

The Head of State reported that Kazakhstan will host the Asia-Pacific Digital Solutions Centre for Sustainable Development in Almaty under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

- As one of the founding member-states of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization Kazakhstan highly appreciates China's leadership in launching this important platform for global AI cooperation. From our perspective, this newly established global organization has great potential to become a leading international institution making the future of global AI. Kazakhstan would be honoured to host the inaugural meeting of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization in our capital. We also propose to harbour its Regional Office for Central Asia, - Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated.

In addition, the Head of State outlined a number of proposals for building transnational digital infrastructure and harmonizing AI policies.

- Therefore, we propose to launch the Kazakhstan-China Digital Bridge Initiative mostly aimed at accelerating digital commerce and serving as a practical model for integrating digital economies across the Belt and Road Initiative. We should fast-track the safe and large-scale deployment of AI across manufacturing, mining, energy, agriculture, healthcare and water management. It is also essential to ensure greater compatibility between national approaches and policies to AI regulation. It is extremely important to create common standards for testing and certifying the Artificial Intelligence systems. We must also create reliable safeguards against the malicious use of Artificial Intelligence, including cyber threats, deepfakes, digital fraud and other emerging risks. And we would be extremely grateful to the Chinese Government for its support of our proposal to announce next year as the year of joint undertakings of both countries in AI area, - the Head of State noted.

The President believes that Artificial Intelligence capabilities are advancing faster than our collective ability to understand, evaluate and govern them. Its development must be guided by the principles of peace and sustainability, instead of confrontation or military competition.

- Therefore, I would encourage all member states and stakeholders to establish a permanent expert platform on AI regulation, standards and ethics. Ultimately, the future of Artificial Intelligence is to be shaped out by people. That is why, the next great competition in Artificial Intelligence will become a search for real talents. We should equip younger generations with digital skills and also with critical thinking, scientific curiosity and a strong sense of ethical responsibility. Therefore, Kazakhstan proposes to launch the international network of AI schools, centers of excellence and academic partnerships under the auspices of our Organization, - Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

In conclusion, the Head of State noted that Kazakhstan stands ready to work with all partners to ensure that AI becomes a decisive factor leading to enduring peace, sustainable development and shared prosperity.

High-level speakers at the opening ceremony of WAIC included Chinese President Xi Jinping, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

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