Illustration: AI
NVIDIA chief Jensen Huang proposed making Kazakhstan a global Physical AI hub during a meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (the-tech.kz). Physical AI is artificial intelligence that interacts with the physical world through robots, autonomous systems and other devices. The two discussed AI development and NVIDIA’s collaboration with Kazakh technology projects.
What is Physical AI?
Huang’s proposal concerns a field in which artificial intelligence powers physical devices. Robots are one example: Physical AI also encompasses autonomous systems and other devices that interact with the world around them.
The NVIDIA chief proposed making Kazakhstan a global centre for this field. His assessment of the country’s prospects rests on two requirements for AI development: access to energy resources and a knowledgeable workforce.
Jensen Huang assesses Kazakhstan’s potential
Huang highlighted people’s knowledge of science, mathematics and technology. Alongside energy resources, he described this expertise as essential to developing artificial intelligence:
Developing artificial intelligence requires, above all, energy resources, as well as people with knowledge of science, mathematics and technology. Kazakhstan has significant potential to develop each of these areas.
Tokayev, for his part, described AI development and digitalisation as national priorities for Kazakhstan. The president also highlighted NVIDIA’s partnership with Higgsfield, describing the company as part of a domestic technology project.
Which Kazakh companies does NVIDIA work with?
The discussion of Kazakhstan’s opportunities also covered existing partnerships. Huang specifically mentioned Firebird AI KZ Ltd and Kazakhtelecom, as well as support for Kazakh project Higgsfield.
The NVIDIA chief noted progress in relationships with local technology teams. He described the results of the past year’s collaboration as follows:
Over the past year, our collaboration has delivered significant results. We are building partnerships with Kazakh companies, including Firebird AI KZ Ltd and Kazakhtelecom, and supporting Higgsfield — Kazakhstan’s first technology unicorn, which has become a prominent player in the global technology ecosystem.
Huang thus named several partners: Firebird AI KZ Ltd, Kazakhtelecom and Higgsfield. Both participants in the meeting — the company’s chief and Kazakhstan’s president — specifically highlighted NVIDIA’s partnership with Higgsfield.
How the meeting ended
At the close of the meeting, Tokayev awarded Jensen Huang the Order of Dostyk, First Class, for his contribution to the development of artificial intelligence in Kazakhstan.
