Thank you for having me! In 2010, I graduated with a degree in Information Technology from Indiana University in the United States under the Bolashak programme. I then completed a further degree at the University of Economy, Finance and International Trade in Astana. My first job was during the 7th Winter Asian Games, which were held in Astana and Almaty in 2011. I was responsible for organising press centres and managing the supply of equipment for the press. It was a fascinating experience. After that, I worked at the Centre for International Programmes, where we developed interesting projects for potential Bolashak students.

I then moved into the private sector, working on large-scale projects, including EXPO 2017, which I was involved with for seven years. This was a massive project, and we had to build a huge infrastructure, including surveillance systems, access control, data centres, and IT infrastructure – all within a very tight timeframe. It was an exciting challenge. After that, I joined Kazakh Tourism, where I worked on innovative projects such as the Kazakhstan Travel portal and the “E-qonaq” system, which automated the registration of foreign guests at hotels. The success of these projects exceeded our expectations.

Currently, I am the CEO of the Tech Hub at the AIFC. This year, I’ve moved into a new role with a focus on leading large-scale innovation projects. One of our key projects is Tabys, an application that we’ve developed here. We are working to breathe new life into it, with new modules such as Tabys Education, which will help users improve their financial literacy, and Creative Crowdfunding, which will support creators by helping them secure funding for projects like films or other creative works. We’re also introducing Fan-Based Monetisation, which will allow fans to donate to their favourite artists, sports teams, or public figures.

Additionally, we are working on a project called Reputation Scoring, in partnership with `zypl.ai`, a company from Tajikistan. The aim of this project is to provide an AI-driven rating system for individuals or organisations based on their historical data and social media profiles. Another project we’re developing is Data Marketplace, in collaboration with the Bureau of National Statistics, where we aim to create a platform for buying and selling data.

There have definitely been plenty of memorable moments! One stands out from my time working on EXPO 2017. We had to work non-stop for three days straight to launch the ticketing and accreditation systems to ensure visitors could smoothly enter the exhibition. It was a challenging yet exhilarating experience. When the project finally launched, standing there and watching people walk through the turnstiles gave me a real sense of accomplishment. It was the kind of euphoria that comes with completing such a massive undertaking.

Absolutely. One of our key AI projects is aimed at automating the work of local government bodies, specifically the akimats. As someone who has worked in government before, I can say that managing all the requests and queries from the public can be overwhelming for civil servants. We are working to develop an AI system that will help process these requests, analyse them, and provide template responses. This will save time for experts in the akimats and enable them to focus on more strategic tasks. Additionally, we are working on interactive maps for decision-makers, allowing them to view real-time data on issues in their regions and make informed decisions quickly.

That’s a great question. Financial literacy is indeed an ongoing issue, and we’ve designed Tabys Education to cater to all segments of the population. We want to make sure that the platform is accessible to children, adults, and older generations. Depending on their age, users will have tailored courses. For children, the focus will be on building foundational knowledge about money and budgeting, while adults will have more advanced modules about financial planning, investments, and avoiding scams.

I’ve been here for about a year and a half, and I’ve been very impressed with the team. Having previously worked in public sector organisations, I’ve noticed a significant difference in the atmosphere at the AIFC. There’s a real spirit of collaboration here, and everyone is approachable, helpful, and eager to support one another. The leadership team, including the CEOs and managers, are incredibly talented and share their knowledge generously. The AIFC also fosters continuous learning, with regular training sessions and team-building activities. It’s a very positive and creative work environment.

I believe in the importance of balance. I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my children. I also like playing tennis, going to the gym, and reading. It’s important to have hobbies and to make time for personal well-being. I try to make sure that I’m in harmony with my life, balancing work, family, and personal time. It helps me stay focused and productive.

Thank you, it was a pleasure to speak with you.