OTS Secretary General Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev met in Astana on 30 July 2026 with Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence of the Republic of Kazakhstan – a meeting emblematic of how central advanced technologies have become to Turkic cooperation.

The discussions focused on artificial intelligence and digital transformation, described as key drivers of sustainable economic development and regional competitiveness, alongside emerging technological trends. The two officials also reviewed the OTS satellite project, including questions surrounding its finalization and launch – the 12U OTS-SAT CubeSat being the first jointly developed satellite of the Turkic states.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in artificial intelligence and digital transformation through practical projects, institutional cooperation and regular dialogue within the OTS framework. The meeting followed the Turkistan Informal Summit of May 2026, which was dedicated to the theme of artificial intelligence and digital development, and the Shymkent panel of March 2026 at which the member states committed to joint hackathons and competitions.

The consolidation of AI as a standing pillar of Turkic cooperation carries clear implications for higher education: research capacity, talent development and digital skills are university domains. As governments organize themselves around the AI agenda – Kazakhstan now maintaining a dedicated ministry – universities of the Turkic world, including TURKUNIB members, are positioned to serve as the region's laboratories and training grounds for the technologies its leaders have prioritized.

Photo: Organization of Turkic States (turkicstates.org)

Photo: Organization of Turkic States (turkicstates.org)

Based on official OTS reporting: Secretary General of the OTS met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence of the Republic of Kazakhstan