Ai in Business Event
20 Nov 2024
On November 20, the British Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with KPMG, hosted a pivotal event in Astana at the KPMG office on the transformative impact of AI in Business. The event brought together business leaders, board representatives, and professionals to explore AI's potential from a 360-degree perspective. The event was opened by Stephen Brennan, Deputy Country Director, Trade and Investment from the British Embassy Astana, whose remarks underscored the crucial role of AI in driving advancements across government, business, and education.
This gathering aimed to provide actionable insights for members of the British Chamber and guests from diverse industries on the practical applications and strategic importance of AI. Expert speakers included representatives from the UK Embassy, the AI Development Association of Kazakhstan, KPMG, the Kazakh-British Technical University (KBTU), EY, and the UK-based company BSC Education.
The UK’s leadership in AI was a central theme, highlighting its position among the top three countries globally in AI investment over the past five years. Alan Turing’s legacy as the "father of AI" and the UK’s cutting-edge developments in humanoid robotics, capable of mimicking human expressions and emotions, were emphasized as milestones in this field.
Dana Isabaeva, moderator of the Chamber’s AI in Business Working Group, opened the event with her presentation on the latest global trends in AI in business. She shared examples of AI adoption in organizations and how individuals, including consumers, CEOs, and Boards, are integrating AI into their decision-making. Dana addressed common concerns, including CEO and Board-level apprehensions, the critical factors for developing an effective AI strategy, and the societal challenges AI presents.
A standout presentation came from Jafar Peno, Manager, Data & AI of KPMG, who introduced the concept of AI Maturity across three key dimensions: Technology Maturity: ensuring responsible development and advancement of AI systems. People Maturity: fostering readiness and accountability among users. Market Maturity: creating a supportive ecosystem for responsible AI integration.
The event also celebrated local innovation, with KBTU’s Rector, Maratbek Gabdullin, and Diana Amirbekova, Managing Director of Internationalization, Associate Professor sharing remarkable examples of their AI initiatives in education, innovation, and research. A video demonstration of a KBTU student controlling a cyber-dog in Kazakh, developed entirely in-house, highlighted the university’s contributions to advancing AI.
The Deputy Chairperson of the AI Development Association in Kazakhstan presented the organization’s impactful work in supporting startups and driving AI development locally and internationally. A critical takeaway from this discussion was the pressing need for more statistical data and research to further AI adoption and innovation in Kazakhstan.
The panel discussion, featuring experts from KPMG and EY, also emphasized the importance of a top-down AI strategy—starting with clear objectives to optimize resource allocation and drive competitive advantage. Konstantin Aushev, Partner and Head of Technology Practice at KPMG Caucasus and Central Asia, also offered advice on cybersecurity, risk management, and how KPMG helps CEOs develop AI-ready strategies. Nestor Komarnitskyi, Regional Technology Practice Lead for Central Asia and Caucasus at EY, shared insights into EY’s global B2B expertise in supporting AI adoption, AI strategy development, showcasing successful case studies. Real-world success stories shared by panelists inspired the audience to explore similar opportunities for AI integration.
The event concluded with a strong call to action for collaboration among businesses, government, educational institutions, and associations. By working together, we can create a sustainable, innovative, and ethical foundation for AI’s future in Kazakhstan.
We are grateful to all participants and partners for making this event a success and look forward to continuing these important discussions as part of the British Chamber’s commitment to supporting innovation and digital transformation.
