Kazakhstan, South Korea team up for public sector AI use

Kazakhstan and South Korea are in the direction of implementing full-scale artificial intelligence (AI) into public sector use. Both countries reported their experience with integrating AI at a diplomatic seminar in Kazakhstan's capital city, Astana. South Korean ambassador to Kazakhstan Tae-ick Cho made a revelation during his keynote speech that the East Asian nation is leading the public sector applications of AI.

In addition to dominating AI hardware and software manufacturing, South Korea is developing a global standardized framework. According to Cho, South Korea is negotiating with various nations to implement ethical standards for AI, focusing on the public sector utility.

As a major producer of both AI hardware and software, Korea is in a good position to take on major roles and responsibilities in shaping the new global AI governance framework", says Cho during the conference.

In addition, the ambassador added that South Korea is strengthening its bilateral relationship with Kazakhstan, with an emphasis on emerging technologies. The South Korean ambassador says their technological cooperation will enhance local economies and simplify government procedures.

"Through cooperation, our two countries not only can work together to push forward AI technologies and AI-related policies but also develop each other mutually in the economy and society", supplemented Cho.

Kazakhstan delegations to the diplomatic forum uncovered a long series of government efforts to transform public services. Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry Dmitry Mun disclosed that Kazakhstan has 20 years of experience in trying out e-government solutions.

The newest play is putting AI into its homegrown gov-tech infrastructure to serve the public good. Mun states that Kazakhstan has introduced more than 50 AI-supported initiatives that have a direct impact on eight million citizens.

Similar to South Korea's approach, Mun further states that Kazakhstan is selling its AI solutions to its neighbors with outreach to West Africa. Both countries are embracing other advanced technologies While Kazakhstan and South Korea seem to be going for AI development at a rapid pace, both countries are also exploring other frontier technologies. In 2024, Kazakhstan launched Web3 education programs.

In contrast, South Korea is feeling its way with a blockchain digital ID while its pension services are looking into a blockchain-powered accounting system. Additionally, both nations are fast-tracking central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). China, Guangdong deploys AI education programs for junior students

Meanwhile, China's Guangdong province has introduced a new AI program for junior students aimed at enhancing learning experiences and enriching the talent pool. The program aims at primary and secondary school students in Guangdong province, giving them an early exposure to AI literacy. Lin Rupeng, head of the Department of Education, discussed the new AI education policy for the province as part of a wider emerging technology plan.

Pupils in primary schools will have access to at least six hours of AI learning exposure each school year. The initiative recommends AI lessons for junior high school students not less than 10 hours per year, while senior high school students will attend one-hour AI classes every fortnight. “Promoting AI education in primary and secondary schools will help us better explore educational resources and support sustainable educational development”, says Lin.

The director said the extensive use of AI across the board will give equal opportunities to students in rural and urban schools by narrowing the gap between rural and urban schools. Essentially, the project aims to provide primary school students with a fundamental knowledge of AI. Junior secondary school students will have intermediate-level knowledge of AI, while senior high school students will start studying AI design and innovation.

According to Lin, educators will lead the AI movement, developing lessons that fit their current requirements. Lin states that teachers will move from being just users to being AI education designers while students will move towards being innovation leaders.

"Technology empowerment should not be a burden, but make learning more interesting and authentic", Lin says. "Enhancing life literacy is not mechanical training it's to awaken every student's spirit of innovation". Expansion plans are underway for the AI learning program to the other provinces of China. China is speeding towards AI and new technologies, discovering sky-high utility in a number of industries.

AI in education is drawing much interest

A number of tech titans are releasing new products to enhance students' classroom learning experience relying on generative AI. Complementing the private sector's interest is an increasing appetite for AI learning from the government, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) entering the race with a national education strategy.

Despite increased popularity, UNICEF cautioned against unchecked AI adoption in classrooms. The UN is urging more stringent limitations to avert a tidal wave of ethics issues from plagiarism and cheating to potential impact on young children's emotional welfare.

For artificial intelligence (AI) to function correctly in accordance with the law and excel despite increasing challenges, it must incorporate an enterprise blockchain system that guarantees the quality of data input and ownership preventing data loss while ensuring the immutability of data. Read CoinGeek's coverage of this emerging technology here for more on why Enterprise blockchain will be the foundation of AI.