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Kazakhstan Introduces AI Regulation Bill to Ensure Human Oversight

Deputies of the Mazhilis, the lower house of Kazakhstan's parliament, have introduced a draft law titled On Artificial Intelligence. The legislation proposes a complete ban on digital systems that make decisions without human intervention. The bill was presented by one of its key developers, Mazhilis deputy Ekaterina Smyshlyayeva, who emphasized the need for a transparent and effective legal framework for integrating AI into Kazakhstan’s economy. “President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has repeatedly highlighted the importance of AI development and issued relevant directives. During a recent visit to the Artificial Intelligence Development Center, he stressed the need for a balanced approach to AI regulation. On one hand, it is a matter of security; on the other, it is essential for development. Striking this balance is crucial,” Smyshlyayeva stated. To address security concerns, the bill seeks to prohibit fully autonomous AI systems that operate without human oversight, aiming to reduce the risk of unintended consequences. AI Classification and Regulation The proposed legislation classifies AI systems by risk level: High-risk: AI systems that impact human life and health or are used in public administration will be subject to strict regulation. Medium-risk: These systems require oversight but with fewer restrictions. Low-risk: AI systems in this category can be developed without regulatory intervention. The bill also calls for the creation of a National AI Platform, a state-led technological infrastructure for AI development, training, and testing. Additionally, lawmakers propose restrictions on AI applications that assess individuals based on social, biometric, or behavioral characteristics. The bill also seeks to ban AI technologies designed to manipulate human behavior. Violations of these provisions would result in administrative penalties under a newly proposed amendment to the Code of Administrative Offenses. Lawmaker Expresses Fear of AI During the bill’s presentation, MP Anas Bakkozhayev openly admitted his concerns about artificial intelligence, stating that AI threatens national traditions and intellectual independence. “I view AI with caution, sometimes even fear. This path leads to degradation. Humans should think and analyze for themselves. Otherwise, where are we headed? Are we merely following global AI trends? What about our traditions, culture, and intellectual capabilities? I fear AI,” Anas Bakkozhayev said. He also criticized the use of AI by Kazakh officials, arguing that neural networks have become a tool for bureaucrats who prioritize their superiors’ opinions over independent thought. Furthermore, he raised concerns about AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, potentially gathering sensitive data that could threaten national security. Kazakhstan’s AI Landscape As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the Chinese robotics company AgiBot recently signed an agreement with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry to establish a joint venture for AI-powered robotics in Kazakhstan's industrial facilities. However, the expansion of AI remains a contentious issue in Kazakhstan’s parliament. Last December, Smyshlyayeva's colleague, MP Magerram Magerramov, proposed restricting the use of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools in schools, arguing that their overuse weakens students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Tajikistan Announces Preliminary Parliamentary Election Results; OSCE Absent

Bakhtiyor Khudoyorzoda, the chairman of Tajikistan's Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER), has announced the preliminary results of the March 2 parliamentary elections to the Assembly of Representatives. According to Khudoyorzoda, 4.71 million of the 5.52 million registered voters participated in the election, representing an 85.3% turnout. The election results for party-list voting were as follows: The People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan secured the most support, receiving 2,435,541 votes (51.9%). The Agrarian Party of Tajikistan garnered 986,887 votes (21%). The Economic Reform Party of Tajikistan received 595,281 votes (12.7%). The Socialist Party of Tajikistan obtained 248,064 votes (5.3%). The Democratic Party of Tajikistan received 237,536 votes (5.1%). The Communist Party of Tajikistan received 89,738 votes (1.9%), failing to meet the 5% threshold required for parliamentary representation. Additionally, 50,895 voters chose the "against all" option. As a result of the party-list vote count, the 22 parliamentary seats allocated through the national proportional system were distributed as follows: People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan - 12 seats Agrarian Party of Tajikistan - 5 seats Economic Reform Party of Tajikistan - 3 seats Socialist Party of Tajikistan - 1 seat Democratic Party of Tajikistan - 1 seat The Communist Party of Tajikistan did not secure any seats. In total, five of the six registered parties gained representation in the Majlisi Oli, Tajikistan’s parliament. The remaining parliamentary seats were allocated through single-mandate districts. On February 6, 2025, the OSCE/ODIHR canceled a planned election observer mission, stating that the Tajik authorities' failure to accredit the observers had "denied the people of Tajikistan an impartial and independent assessment of the elections." A mission from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, meanwhile, characterized the election as "transparent, credible and democratic." In the latest presidential elections, held in 2020, incumbent Emomali Rahmon won a fifth consecutive term, securing a purported 92.08% of the vote. Rahmon has been president since 1994, having previously led the country as Chairman of the Supreme Assembly from 1992 to 1994. TCA has previously reported on long prison sentences for Tajik opposition figures. Elections to the National Assembly will be held on March 28, 2025.

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Kyrgyzstan’s Rebrand: New Country, or New Distractions?

On January 29, in what became a viral social media post, Seide Ibraimova and her mother drove to the site of VDNKh, the exhibition center built in the Kirghiz SSR to demonstrate the achievements of socialist science and culture. Her mother, wrapped in a white headscarf, reminisced happily about the times she’d spent there, surrounded by poplar trees in the shadow of the mountains. Seide’s father was one of the architectural team who built the main pavilion in 1974. But as they arrived at the site, they found nothing but rubble. The government had bulldozed the pavilion to make way for a new congress hall. “How could they?” said the old lady in a choked whisper. “Your father gave his heart and soul to this, for the people of the republic. The number of delegations who came here… how could they?” In the post’s comments section, an intense debate began. Some lamented the loss of the exhibition center: “Without this historic architecture, Bishkek will be nothing more than a concrete jungle,” said one. Another invoked Chingiz Aitmatov’s famous mankurt metaphor, describing those who had destroyed the site as having “no sense of memory or feelings, without attachment, who do not know who they are or where they come from.” Others were less sentimental, pointing out that VDNKh had been left to rot for two decades, and that those venerating the Soviet relics were the real mankurts, “forgetting your language, preaching the history and ideology of the fascists who invaded and occupied our country.” “You can forget the USSR,” said another. “We live in a sovereign state, the Kyrgyz Republic!” These online spats come at a time when Kyrgyzstan is going through a form of national branding under the government of Sadyr Japarov. But is the country really shedding its Soviet skin, or are the changes mere window dressing? [caption id="attachment_29217" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] The ruins of the VDNKh pavilion, February 2025; image: Joe Luc Barnes[/caption] Around two hundred meters from the wreckage of the pavilion is Yntymak-Ordo, or the “new White House”. This is the newly-constructed official administrative building of Kyrgyzstan’s president – a squat structure with thick columns, topped by a glass dome and surrounded by iron bars and armed guards. Reminiscent of many of the other presidential palaces that have sprung up across Central Asia over the past thirty years, it is an assertion of power. Further along Chinghiz Aitmatov Avenue (which was called Prospekt Mira until 2015) are scores of new high-rise residential buildings. Each month, new approvals are granted for more of these in the city center, contributing to a construction boom. Some see this as a deliberate attempt to erase the Soviet past from the city and replace it with their own idea of a modern Kyrgyz capital. The aesthetic shift is not just architectural. The government recently launched a competition for a new Kyrgyz national anthem. Aspiring composers have been invited to submit their proposals, the commission recently confirming that 23 have been accepted so...

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Proposal to Ban Sex Change Operations in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan's Mazhilis (Parliament) Deputy Magerram Magerramov has proposed a ban on sex change operations, arguing that such procedures contradict national culture, traditions, and common sense. Magerramov stressed the need to preserve traditional family values and questioned Kazakhstan’s legal framework, which currently allows gender reassignment for individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria. “According to the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ‘On the Health of the People and the Health Care System’, citizens over 21 years old who do not have mental or behavioral disorders can change their gender identity. However, the very term ‘gender identity disorder’ already implies the presence of a certain deviation,” he said. The deputy argued that if a person has no physical abnormality but is diagnosed with an identity disorder, it should be classified as a mental or behavioral condition rather than grounds for medical intervention. “Interfering with a healthy body through hormone therapy and surgical procedures cannot be justified when it comes to mental or behavioral disorders. It is an attempt to bring the body in line with the subjective perception of reality, which, in my opinion, is unacceptable,” he added. Magerramov also expressed concerns about the impact on social norms, saying that gender transition was influenced by ideas unacceptable to Kazakh culture. The World Health Organization (WHO), however, removed transgender identity from the list of mental illnesses in its International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) in 2019. Magerramov’s speech is not the first time he has criticized what he refers to as "Western values." Earlier, he accused foreign sponsors, particularly USAID, of funding women’s marches and LGBT events in Almaty. In addition, his colleague from the People’s Party of Kazakhstan, MP Irina Smirnova, has proposed a law on foreign agents, which would require media and NGOs to disclose sources of foreign funding.

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Kazakhstan Proposes “Idioten Test” for Repeat Traffic Offenders

Kazakhstan may introduce a special psychophysiological test for repeat traffic offenders, inspired by a practice used in Germany. Senate Deputy Marat Kozhayev has proposed that motorists who repeatedly commit the same traffic violations be subjected to such a test, which could result in the revocation of their driver's licenses. German "Idioten Test" as a Model for Kazakhstan Speaking at a roundtable on road safety, Kozhayev, who has an extensive background in law enforcement, suggested adopting stricter policies for repeat offenders. “In Germany, there is a so-called 'Idioten Test,' which drivers must undergo after committing three identical traffic offenses. This test is a serious challenge,” Kozhayev said. He believes a similar system in Kazakhstan could deter habitual violators. Proposal to End Fine Discounts for Frequent Offenders Kozhayev also advocated for the abolition of the 50% discount on traffic fines for drivers with more than ten recorded violations. Currently, Kazakhstan allows fines to be paid at a 50% discount if settled within a week of issuance. However, Kozhayev pointed out that some drivers accumulate up to 300 violations per year. He cited official statistics from 2024, revealing that: 162,000 drivers committed between 10 and 100 violations. 500 drivers committed between 100 and 300 violations. “These serial violators should not benefit from fine reductions,” Kozhayev emphasized. “If a driver wants to stand out on the road, let them bear full responsibility for their actions. Why should we continue forgiving violations and offering discounts?” He believes that drivers with such an extensive history of infractions should have their licenses revoked altogether. Debate Over Drunk Driving Penalties Kozhayev also opposes any reduction in penalties for drunk driving, engaging in an indirect debate with Mazhilis Deputy Nikolai Arsyutin. Arsyutin had recently argued that Kazakhstan’s seven-year license revocation policy for drunk driving was too harsh, particularly in cases where no accident occurred, and the alcohol level was minimal. He also warned that harsh penalties create opportunities for police abuse, citing numerous citizen complaints about the objectivity of intoxication tests. “There are concerns about the accuracy of alcohol and drug tests,” Arsyutin said, calling for standardized testing procedures. More Than 200,000 Licenses Revoked Since 2022 According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, over 200,000 drivers in Kazakhstan have had their licenses revoked since the stricter Code of Administrative Offenses was introduced in 2022. Arsyutin argues that most countries take a more flexible approach, adjusting penalties based on the degree of intoxication and the circumstances surrounding the offense. This, he claims, would help reduce both the social backlash and corruption risks. Arsyutin has called on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to conduct a thorough review and propose unified rules for determining intoxication levels. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, Kazakhstan continues to see a steady rise in vehicle ownership, with the country setting a record for new car sales in 2024.

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Powering the Future: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Race to Tackle Energy Crises with Nuclear Plans

Kazakhstan has officially designated the site for its first nuclear power plant (NPP), while Uzbekistan has also identified a location and announced plans to establish an international consortium. Despite severe power shortages in densely populated regions, concrete timelines for construction remain unclear. Kazakhstan Finalizes NPP Site Selection On February 25, Kazakhstan formally approved the construction site for its first NPP. A decree signed by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov designated the Zhambyl district in the Almaty region as the site for the facility. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reiterated in January 2025 that Kazakhstan would likely require multiple nuclear power plants, and urged the government to accelerate the construction process. International Consortium Considered for Construction Kazakhstan has yet to finalize its choice of technology and contractor. In 2024, Tokayev stated that multiple foreign companies should collaborate on the project through an international consortium. Tokayev emphasized the need for cutting-edge technology from global players. Several companies and technologies are currently under consideration, including: CNNC (China) - HPR-1000 reactor Rosatom (Russia) - VVER-1200 reactor KHNP (South Korea) - APR-1000, APR-1400 reactors EDF (France) - EPR1200 reactor. Political analyst Gaziz Abishev noted that the selection of locations and contractors reflects Kazakhstan’s multi-vector foreign policy. Abishev suggested that Kazakhstan could ultimately build three NPPs, potentially awarding contracts to Rosatom, a Chinese-French consortium, and a South Korean firm. While Rosatom remains the frontrunner, only preliminary agreements with Russia have been reported so far. Urgency Amidst a Growing Energy Deficit Kazakhstan faces an urgent need to begin NPP construction due to its increasing electricity shortfall. In 2024, electricity consumption reached 120.6 billion kWh, while production stood at 118.3 billion kWh, resulting in a 2.4 billion kWh deficit. By 2025, the deficit is projected to rise to 3.3 billion kWh. The situation is particularly dire in southern Kazakhstan, where demand far exceeds supply. The region consumes 27.7 billion kWh but produces only 15.3 billion kWh, creating a 12.4 billion kWh deficit. As a result, Kazakhstan is heavily reliant on Russian electricity imports. Aging infrastructure exacerbates the crisis. In the winters of 2023-2024, power plant failures left residents in the towns of Ridder and Ekibastuz without heat during extreme subzero temperatures. The government reports that 66% of CHPP equipment is worn out, with five major plants, in Uralsk, Stepnogorsk, Taraz, Kyzylorda, and Kentau, operating with over 80% wear and tear. The average age of CHPPs in Kazakhstan is 61 years, with 76% of plants exceeding 50 years of operation. Experts argue that Kazakhstan cannot achieve energy independence without nuclear power. The energy deficit will continue to grow, particularly in Almaty, the country’s largest city, which is at risk of blackouts and rolling outages. Uzbekistan Moves Forward with Its First NPP Uzbekistan is also advancing its nuclear energy plans. The first NPP will be built in the Jizzakh region, approximately 1,000 km from Kazakhstan’s planned plant. In May 2024, Uzatom signed a contract with Atomstroyexport, a division of Rosatom, for the construction of a 330 MW low-capacity nuclear plant consisting of six...