How this country is adopting AI in schools

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has tasked the government with adopting an AI-in-education roadmap by July 1, with an initial focus on bridging the gap between urban and rural schools before expanding the programme nationwide.

This September, a pilot project will launch in 500 understaffed rural schools, equipping them with reliable high-speed internet and modern digital infrastructure. The initiative is scheduled to run through May 2027.

Under the programme, some of the country’s most experienced teachers will deliver live and recorded lessons remotely to students in small rural schools.

“Our primary mission is to make the country's best educators available to all children, regardless of whether they live in a major city or a small rural community,” said Sergei Companiec, Kazakhstan’s Vice-Minister of Enlightenment.

Alongside the connectivity programme, a national AI platform will analyse student performance, identify learners who may require additional support and provide teachers with real-time feedback.

Officials say AI is intended to support rather than replace teachers, freeing up time for personalised instruction and direct engagement with students.

If a student struggles with a particular topic, the system will provide additional explanations and exercises. Those progressing faster than the curriculum may receive more advanced assignments tailored to their abilities.

At the same time, teachers based in the schools will remain responsible for supporting students in the classroom and helping them work through the material.

AI as a classroom assistant

According to Companiec, artificial intelligence will not replace teachers but serve as an assistant capable of helping assess students’ progress and prepare lesson materials.

The government expects AI tools to support both students and teachers by addressing individual learning needs and paving the way for more personalised education.

“In any classroom, students are very different. To make learning truly effective with AI, we can approach each student individually — giving some more advanced tasks and others more structured assignments depending on their needs,” said Saltanat Zhumabayeva, Director of the Ybyrai Altynsarin National Academy of Education.

Officials say the technology will help schools develop individual learning pathways for students rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

A separate framework of ethical principles and guidelines is also being prepared to regulate the use of AI in education and prevent overreliance on technology.

Educators stress that students will still be expected to think independently, analyse information and develop their own conclusions.

“When a teacher provides information, the student’s main task is to form their own viewpoint, compare and analyse,” Zhumabayeva said.

Training teachers for AI adoption

Teacher training is expected to play a central role in the initiative.

More than 350,000 teachers have already completed AI training programmes, while over 100,000 have gained access to OpenAI’s GPT-edu platform for classroom use.

“We have developed a dedicated training programme for teachers taking part in the pilot project in small rural schools. They will be trained to use the tools developed and introduced as part of the pilot,” Companiec said.

Officials expect AI implementation to reduce teachers’ administrative workload by around 30%, allowing educators to devote more time to teaching, mentoring and student development.

By 2029, the government hopes the programme will reduce the number of underperforming students while expanding personalised learning across the education system.

Pilot project already underway in Astana

A pilot initiative is already operating in Astana.

At public school No. 101, artificial intelligence is being used to track learning progress in real time. Student activity is analysed through classroom cameras, audio systems and assignments completed on tablets, generating feedback intended to help teachers better understand learning performance.

Students also have access to high-performance computers, 3D printers, 3D pens and drones as part of efforts to develop practical digital skills.

“The goal is for pupils to use AI and the available equipment to create innovative projects,” said Aitzhan Abilmazhinov, the school’s deputy head for digitalisation.

Beyond the classroom, AI is also being used to monitor student wellbeing and help identify potential bullying incidents.

According to Abilmazhinov, the school has tested a video analytics platform designed to detect and flag behaviour associated with bullying through camera footage.

“When an incident is detected, an eight-second video clip is generated and an alert is sent immediately to the school’s disciplinary team,” he said.

School officials say the system allows for faster intervention when potential problems arise.

AI enters the curriculum

Kazakhstan also plans to introduce artificial intelligence as a dedicated area of study alongside its broader integration across the education system.

“We do not see these two approaches as mutually exclusive. At the same time, we must acknowledge that artificial intelligence has become a field of knowledge in its own right,” Companiec said.

From grades one to four, students will study Digital Literacy and Artificial Intelligence. From grades five to eleven, the curriculum will include Informatics and Artificial Intelligence, with a focus on teaching students how to use AI tools effectively and responsibly.

As Kazakhstan prepares for a broader rollout of AI across its schools, the rural pilot programme will serve as a test case for how the technology can support teaching, personalised learning, and student wellbeing before being expanded nationwide.