Central Asian Countries Discuss Common Digital and AI Rules
Representatives of business associations, IT companies, expert communities and government bodies from Central Asia met in Astana on Sept. 28 to discuss ways to make the region’s five digital markets more compatible and facilitate the expansion of technology companies across the region.
The regional roundtable was held with the support of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development as part of the B5+1 Cycle. Participants discussed business-led proposals for inclusion in the Regional Business Agenda for 2027.
One of the key initiatives was a draft Agreement on Cooperation among Central Asian States in Digital Policy and Artificial Intelligence Governance. The proposed framework would not introduce identical digital legislation or establish a supranational regulator. Instead, it would preserve national legislation and digital sovereignty while gradually increasing compatibility between countries’ legal and digital systems.
The areas identified for closer cooperation include electronic document management and digital identification, personal data protection, cybersecurity and AI regulation. The proposal also calls for conditions that would enable mutual recognition of electronic documents, electronic signatures and digital identification tools.
According to the proposal, greater compatibility could help reduce administrative and legal barriers for companies providing digital services across national borders and make it easier for businesses to expand throughout Central Asia.
Participants also considered a draft Code of Ethics for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Central Asia. The document would establish common ethical principles for the five countries while giving priority to national legislation. It is designed as a recommendation and does not provide for a supranational AI regulator, mandatory certification or accreditation of AI systems.
A central principle of the draft is that AI may assist people in making decisions but should not replace human responsibility. Where an AI-assisted decision could significantly affect a person’s rights or interests, the proposed framework states that the decision should not be made by an algorithm alone.
The draft also outlines proposed rights for people to know when they are interacting with AI, receive an understandable explanation of an AI-generated result and request human review. It identifies harmful manipulation, exploitation of vulnerable groups, discriminatory practices, unlawful use of personal data and the use of synthetic content for fraud or harm as unacceptable practices.
The results of the roundtable are expected to contribute to the B5+1 Regional Business Agenda for 2027. The longer-term objective discussed by participants is to make it easier for startups and technology companies from Astana, Tashkent, Bishkek, Dushanbe and Ashgabat to enter neighboring markets while maintaining each country’s national legislation and digital sovereignty.
Photo credit: Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.
