The Head of State addressed the Astana AI Film Festival – the first international competition for films created using artificial intelligence.
The President highlighted the unique nature of the event.
“The Astana AI Film Festival is a one-of-a-kind project through which proactive, educated, innovative, and creative citizens can showcase their talents. This is a competition of sharp minds and bold initiatives. The modern era is defined by knowledge, science, and innovation. Artificial intelligence has brought about fundamental changes across all sectors of the global economy. In short, technological progress has taken on a truly global scale,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated.
The Head of State described the festival as clear evidence of the rapid development of Kazakhstan’s creative industries. As he noted, the country is taking concrete measures to build a fully-fledged ecosystem in this sector and provide comprehensive support for talented individuals.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the necessity of using artificial intelligence responsibly.
“Today, as technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, many politicians, scientists, and tech leaders have raised concerns about the growing power of AI and the risks of its uncontrolled use. At the same time, one thing is clear: this tendency or way of things is irreversible. I think no one will argue with this. Throughout history, we have seen how the fire of Prometheus was regarded as a symbol of progress and a source of destructive power. Nuclear energy is one example. Therefore, we need to consider safety with the highest duty and establish common “rules of the game” for the responsible development and use of Artificial Intelligence for the secured future of the younger generation. At the same time, we must do everything we can to unlock the enormous creative potential of future tech. That is the main idea behind the AI Film Festival,” the President said.
According to the Head of State, AI offers young people unique opportunities to unlock their potential
“Today, even small creative teams can compete effectively with major studios. Creative professionals and film crews no longer need to knock on the doors of production companies or seek out sponsors to make films. Entry into the market has become far more accessible. On one hand, this heightens competition; on the other, it paves the way for truly talented individuals to realize their vision. This represents a qualitative shift in the landscape – one we must leverage as effectively as possible within a united creative community. Of course, artificial intelligence cannot replace human inspiration, but it can serve as an indispensable tool for all those who have dedicated their lives to creativity,” the President remarked.
Concluding his speech, the Head of State expressed confidence that the project would open up new horizons for ambitious talent and contribute to the growth of the global creative economy.
“It is no coincidence that such a major international event is being held in Astana. Kazakhstan is a young country, with an average population age of 33. I believe our younger generation is well-educated, eager for knowledge, open to new ideas, and forward-thinking. Furthermore, a respectful attitude toward all people and a complete rejection of discrimination are noble qualities deeply rooted in our society and recognized globally. Indeed, over 8,000 entries from 125 countries have been submitted for today’s festival, including works from the USA, India, China, South Korea, the UK, Indonesia, Japan, Brazil, France, and other nations. I would like to note that the jury includes world-renowned experts in art and technology, and I am sincerely grateful for their contribution. I am confident that participants will have ample opportunities to exchange ideas and launch joint projects in the future,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev concluded.
The opening ceremony also featured addresses by Almas Zhaly, founder of the Astana AI Film Festival; Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding Corp; Balaji Srinivasan, founder of Network School; festival participant Jamin Tasker; and Audrey Azoulay, Chair of the AAIFF Jury.
