Kazakhstan Pushes 'Washington Model' for Global AI Rules

Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a bridge between U.S. AI policy initiatives and global governance frameworks. President Tokayev stated that the voluntary artificial intelligence safety pact that U.S. tech leaders signed at the White House last month could become the foundation for a United Nations treaty on AI governance.

Global AI Governance Initiative

The Kazakh president announced Kazakhstan would present its vision for global AI regulation at the G20 summit in Miami in December. This comes as countries worldwide grapple with how to regulate rapidly advancing AI technologies while fostering innovation.

Domestic AI Foundations

Kazakhstan has already adopted a Law on Artificial Intelligence and a Digital Code, demonstrating its commitment to building a domestic AI governance framework. The country has also declared 2026 the 'Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence' with a month-long program of events running from September 23 to October 23.

Industry Engagement Model

Tokayev proposed an AI Challenge that would invite Kazakh and foreign teams to solve real-world economic problems, with the strongest solutions being implemented in industry. This approach aims to bridge theoretical AI safety concepts with practical applications.

Why it matters

This initiative represents a significant step toward creating inclusive global AI governance that incorporates perspectives from both developed and developing nations, potentially shaping how international AI regulations are developed in the coming years.