Kazakhstan sets AI school pilot for rural classrooms

Kazakhstan plans to use AI to reduce education gaps between urban and rural schools and lighten teachers’ administrative workloads as part of a wider digital economy push. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has ordered an AI-in-education roadmap by July 1, with a pilot launching this September in 500 understaffed rural schools and running through May 2027.

The programme will connect rural schools with high-speed internet and digital infrastructure, allowing experienced teachers to deliver live and recorded lessons remotely. A national AI platform will analyse student performance, identify learners needing support and give teachers real-time feedback, while school-based educators remain responsible for classroom guidance.

Teacher preparation is central to the rollout: More than 350,000 teachers have completed AI training programmes, and over 100,000 have gained access to OpenAI’s GPT-edu platform. Officials expect AI tools to reduce teachers’ administrative workload by around 30% and help lower the number of underperforming students by 2029.

An Astana pilot at public school No. 101 is already using cameras, audio systems and tablet assignments to track learning progress, while students work with high-performance computers, 3D printers, 3D pens and drones. Kazakhstan also plans AI-focused coursework, from Digital Literacy and Artificial Intelligence in grades one to four to Informatics and Artificial Intelligence in grades five to eleven.