Kazakhstan's new AI law charts ambitious course inspired by EU

With its draft ‘Law on Artificial Intelligence’ approved in May, in a first reading by the Mazhilis, Kazakhstan’s lower parliamentary chamber, the Central Asian nation is signalling its intent to regulate AI with a human-centric approach.

“The bill reflects major global trends in AI regulation,” said Shoplan Saimova, head of the Centre for Public Legislation and Public Administration at the Institute of Parliamentarism. “The EU’s AI Act serves as a model,” added Saimova.

Saimova maintains that Kazakhstan is not seeking to play catch-up but to take the lead, crafting a framework tailored to national values and needs, fostering trust between humans and algorithms while safeguarding the public interest.

The law was developed through broad consultation, involving lawmakers, tech experts and industry representatives – a sign of robust cross-sector backing. It aims to regulate AI use across multiple areas of society.

Comprehensive approach

The draft legislation rests on core principles such as fairness, legality, accountability, and a commitment to human well-being.

It prohibits unauthorised data collection and considers introducing criminal liability for large-scale misuse of AI systems posing risks to the public.

Saimova said that “Kazakhstan is not pursuing a reckless race for progress, but is instead building a responsible system centred on human rights and social well-being.”

Beyond regulation, the law could reshape the country’s workforce. Experts have highlighted the urgent need to retrain IT professionals, particularly in AI system design and digital ethics.

The initiative follows earlier government efforts to regulate the domestic crypto market, as the intersection of AI and blockchain is increasingly viewed as a new frontier in digital innovation.

Balancing act

Igor Rogov, head of Kazakhstan’s human rights commission, has warned that without proper legal frameworks, AI could pose risks to fundamental rights.

He emphasises three key concerns: who bears responsibility when AI causes harm; who owns content produced by AI; and how to prevent AI from being used for fraud or deception.

Kazakhstan’s judiciary has already begun using AI to draft decisions in civil cases, signalling the start of AI integration into public institutions, though judges retain final authority.

Rogov advocates for input from European legal bodies and encourages public debate, noting that legislation must be both effective in practice and respectful of individual freedoms.

In his view, Kazakhstan’s human-centred approach to digital transformation reflects a growing commitment to ensuring that innovation serves – not undermines – its people.

Regulation gaps

A recent academic study by five Kazakh scholars offers a comparative legal analysis of Kazakhstan’s draft AI legislation and the EU’s AI Act.

It finds that, while Kazakhstan is adopting elements of a risk-based approach – including bans on autonomous AI, risk stratification, and transparency provisions – its framework remains underdeveloped in four key areas.

These include the absence of a clear risk classification system, insufficient requirements for algorithmic transparency, limited personal data protections, and a lack of strong institutions to enforce the law.

The authors argue that Kazakhstan could benefit from selectively adopting elements of the EU model, tailored to the national legal context.

They underline the importance of establishing clear regulatory standards, data protection reforms, and greater institutional capacity to guarantee compliance.

The study also identifies unique challenges posed by Kazakhstan’s media landscape and multilingual environment. It warns that transparency and accountability will only be effective if backed by public education and the necessary technical infrastructure.

While the legal efforts are promising, the authors conclude that further work is needed. Drawing on the EU’s experience could help Kazakhstan build a responsible and trusted AI ecosystem – one that protects citizens’ rights while attracting global partnerships and investment.

[Edited By Brian Maguire | Euractiv’s Advocacy Lab ]