In the era of artificial intelligence and new challenges, the introduction of new educational methods is strategically important for helping young people adapt to the challenges of today. Kazakhstan has become a participant in the international Edu for Countries initiative, launched by OpenAI as part of the global OpenAI for Countries programme. What does this initiative involve? What does the implementation of ChatGPT Edu mean for education in Kazakhstan? Let’s discuss it in our article.
As part of the global OpenAI for Countries programme by OpenAI, Kazakhstan has joined an initiative to introduce artificial intelligence (ChatGPT Edu) into the national education system. Alongside Kazakhstan, the first wave of countries included Estonia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Greece.
For Kazakhstan, this marks the beginning of the systematic implementation of ChatGPT Edu – a specialised education-focused version of artificial intelligence within the national education system. At the same time, the state became the first in Central Asia to join this international programme.
Artificial intelligence is a teacher’s assistant, not a replacement
Participation in the Edu for Countries programme is of strategic importance for Kazakhstan’s education policy. Despite global debates about the role of artificial intelligence in learning, Kazakhstan has a clear position: AI will not replace the teacher; it enhances their professional skills and capabilities.
The use of ChatGPT Edu is aimed at reducing the administrative and methodological workload for teaching staff, as well as creating conditions for higher-quality and more individualised learning. This is not about automating all learning processes, but about strengthening human potential.
Project financing
This project is being implemented under the arrangements reached following a Memorandum of Cooperation signed on 6 November 2025 during the President of Kazakhstan’s visit to the United States. The key agreement was concluded between OpenAI, Inc., Freedom Holding Corp., and the regional partner Bilim Group. It is important to note that the initiative is being implemented using private funding, without drawing on the state budget or external grants, which highlights strong interest and support from the business community.
165 thousand free licences for education
The implementation of ChatGPT Edu in Kazakhstan provides for the free allocation of 165,000 licences to the country’s educational organisations, including:
- 100,000 licences – for educators in pre-school, secondary, technical and vocational education
- 62,800 licences – for teaching staff and administrative employees in higher and postgraduate education
- 2,200 licences – for participants in the Astana Hub ecosystem
Optimising the learning process and conducting research
The Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sayasat Nurbek, emphasised that ChatGPT Edu is a comprehensive solution for the academic environment that will enhance the capabilities of educators, students and researchers. This is because artificial intelligence helps to speed up the preparation of teaching materials, improve the quality of communication with students, and open up new opportunities for research activity.
As the Minister noted, Kazakhstan is placing the emphasis not on training AI users, but on creating an environment in which its developers will emerge.
A personalised approach and digital culture
The Minister of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Zhanna Suleimenova, noted that the introduction of artificial intelligence into the education system is a tool for strengthening the role of the educator. AI performs part of the tasks, allowing the teacher to focus on working with learners. In the Minister’s view, ChatGPT Edu makes it possible to create differentiated teaching materials in line with different levels of preparedness and builds skills for working with modern technologies.
ChatGPT Edu tools
The service provides educators with tools for:
- preparing assignments, teaching materials and tests
- adapting materials to learners’ level
- creating materials in Kazakh and English (Russian is also possible)
- developing feedback criteria when assessing work
All assessment-related conclusions remain with the educator. From January 2026, in cooperation with OpenAI specialists, regular training will be organised for users on the practical application of ChatGPT Edu in educational, administrative and research activities.
The implementation of ChatGPT Edu in educational institutions will make it possible to assess student engagement, improvements in the quality of teaching materials, and the optimisation of educators’ time.
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