NVIDIA Chief Proposes Making Kazakhstan a Global Hub for Physical AI

NVIDIA co-founder and CEO Jensen Huang proposed transforming Kazakhstan into a global hub for physical artificial intelligence — an AI direction that interacts with the physical world. The proposal was made on October 23 during a meeting with Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, according to a statement from the Akorda press office.

Tokayev named artificial intelligence and digitalization as national priorities and recalled that Kazakhstan has declared 2026 as the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence.

Huang stated that AI development requires, first and foremost, energy resources and specialists with knowledge in science, mathematics, and technology. "Kazakhstan possesses significant potential for the development of each of these areas," he said.

The NVIDIA chief also reported progress in cooperation with Kazakhstani companies Firebird AI KZ Ltd and Kazakhtelecom. Additionally, NVIDIA supports Higgsfield — a startup characterized as Kazakhstan's first technology unicorn with a valuation of at least 1 billion U.S. dollars.

Following the meeting, Tokayev awarded Huang the Order of Dostyk First Class in recognition of his contribution to the development of artificial intelligence in Kazakhstan.