Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, visited Kazakhstan on Friday, marking a significant step in the country's ambition to become a major hub for artificial intelligence (AI). During a fireside chat in Astana with Zhaslan Madiyev, Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, Huang emphasized the potential for Kazakhstan to serve as a key AI computing center due to its energy resources and plans to expand data center capacity.
Huang underscored the importance of nations developing their own AI capabilities, stressing that countries should have the infrastructure to deliver AI services domestically while adapting the technology to their own languages and cultures. His visit aligns with Kazakhstan's strategic push to attract billions in technology investments and establish itself as a regional AI hub.
Kazakhstan's AI Ambitions
Kazakhstan has placed AI at the forefront of its national agenda, designating 2026 as the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. In June, the government announced a $10 billion investment in AI infrastructure in collaboration with U. S.-based AI cloud company Firebird. This partnership aims to build a computing cluster powered by 100,000 advanced GPUs, including Nvidia chips. Nvidia has expressed its intention to invest in this venture, which plans a 2-gigawatt AI infrastructure expansion across Armenia, Kazakhstan, and other markets.
San Francisco-based AI video startup Higgsfield also has a significant footprint in Kazakhstan, employing over 300 people in its engineering and creative teams. Co-founder Yerzat Dulat, a Kazakhstani AI engineer, highlighted the unexpected success of building a team in Kazakhstan, noting the backing of influential technology and media figures. Higgsfield recently announced that Nvidia and investment firm TCV have invested in an extension of its Series B funding round, although the amount remains undisclosed. Previously, the company raised $400 million in a Series B round, valuing it at $5.4 billion.
At the heart of Kazakhstan's AI initiative is the planned Data Center Valley in Ekibastuz, which currently has a power capacity of 300 megawatts, with plans to expand to 1 gigawatt. Kazakhstan is promoting its competitive electricity costs, vast land reserves, and investment incentives to attract international data center developers. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has been promoting the country's digital infrastructure to attract international investments.
Other international companies are also eyeing Kazakhstan's digital infrastructure. Singapore-based GK Hyperscale has signed an agreement with the government to develop two hyperscale data centers, with an anticipated investment of $1.5 billion and a combined IT capacity of 200 megawatts. The project includes a planned $1.2 billion investment in power infrastructure, with construction set to begin in early 2026 and the first data center module expected to be operational by 2027.
Beyond AI, Kazakhstan is attracting interest from other sectors. German automaker Volkswagen has expanded its presence in Central Asia, using its Chinese manufacturing operations to serve new markets like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. This move reflects a broader trend of international companies seeking new customer bases beyond China while leveraging existing manufacturing capabilities.
The growing interest in Kazakhstan is not limited to business. At the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, members highlighted the potential of platforms like an AI innovation center in Kazakhstan. This year's SCO event on artificial intelligence, held in Astana, brought together representatives from member states to discuss national AI strategies, regulation, and opportunities for technological cooperation.
