On September 10, 2024, the non-profit organization TechnoWomen signed an agreement to join the Competence Center for the Development and Implementation of applied solutions based on large language models of the Kazakh language (KazLLM) using Artificial Intelligence. The signing of this agreement took place within the framework of the event “TECHNOWOMEN ASTANA: A NEW REALITY WITH AI”
Currently, Kazakhstan has adopted and is implementing the Concept of Artificial Intelligence Development for 2024-2029, approved by Decree of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated July 24, 2024 No. 592. Work has begun on the development and implementation of applied solutions based on large language models of the Kazakh language (KazLLM) with the use of AI, an appropriate Competence Center has been created.
TechnoWomen non-profit organization has joined the Competence Center for the Development and Implementation of applied solutions based on large language models of the Kazakh language (KazLLM) in order to ensure the work on the formation of a gender component in artificial intelligence (AI), which should take into account gender diversity and minimize bias.
“The main directions of the gender component in the National Language Model should include gender inclusiveness of data and the development of methods to identify and eliminate gender bias in algorithms, including thorough testing and auditing for discrimination. It is also very important to increase the representation of women and other gender groups among specialists involved in AI development. This contributes to the creation of more balanced and inclusive technologies. When developing AI applications, it is important to take into account the specific needs and circumstances of different gender groups so that technologies are as useful and safe as possible for all users,” said Aziza Shuzheeva, Chairman of the Board of the TechnoWomen Non-profit Organization, member of the National Commission for Women and Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Elena Sedykh, Chairman of the Strategic Committee of the NGO TechnoWomen, believes that “Ignoring the gender aspect in AI development not only reinforces existing social inequalities, but also limits the potential of artificial intelligence. Models created taking into account the diversity of human experience, including gender, have greater opportunities to solve complex problems and demonstrate a deeper understanding of the world. Differences in the cognitive styles of men and women can be effectively used to create better algorithms.”
The event also summed up the results of the #SheInnovator project, aimed at teaching girls and women the basics of digital transformation and the use of AI in their personal lives, professional careers and business. In addition, within the framework of this project, women were trained in e-commerce and trade skills on foreign and Kazakhstani marketplaces. The project was implemented from January to September 2024. In total, 10 visiting regional conferences were held with a series of trainings and practical master classes. In total, more than 1,650 women from Almaty, Atyrau, Aktau, Karaganda, Semey, Oskemen, Petropavlovsk, Shymkent, Kyzylorda and Astana were trained.
The project was implemented with the support of the National Commission for Women and Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the international agency USAID, the international technopark Astana Hub and its regional divisions, as well as Kazakhstani universities: Satbayev University, Atyrau University of Oil and Gas named after Safi Utebayev, Karaganda Technical University named after Abylkas Saginov, Korkyt ata Kyzylorda University, Kazakh-American Free University, North Kazakhstan University named after Manasha Kozybayeva, Alikhan Bokeikhan University, M. Auyezov South Kazakhstan University.
At the event “TECHNOWOMEN ASTANA: A NEW REALITY WITH AI”, Sergey Stanovkin, Head of Regional offices of BBC Worldwide, CEO of Dars Consulting (UK) Ltd., Talgat Amanbayev, Chief Innovation Officer (Chief Innovation Officer) of the AIFC Authority also gave master classes on “Using neural networks in Ulzhan Ospanova, PhD Candidate, Senior Director of the Center for Digital Government Support, made a presentation on the “Trajectory of AI development in Kazakhstan”, Aigerim Yerishova is a Partner/Director of the Private Company CBS Consulting Ltd. and many other speakers who told and conducted master classes on the use of AI in various business areas.
For reference: Increasing access to digital technologies for women will expand their economic opportunities and improve their position in the labor market. Today, women around the world are significantly less represented in the world of technology and IT than men. One of the factors is the lack of necessary technical skills and existing social norms and gender expectations. In order to create conditions for increasing women’s incomes, the National Commission on Women’s Affairs and Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan initiated the creation of an action plan to expand women’s economic opportunities in order to involve them in productive employment. With the support of the National Commission, IT-Aiel and TechnoGirls projects have been successfully implemented since 2023, which have been completed by about 15 thousand girls and women from all regions of Kazakhstan.
Aliya Orazymbetova, a participant in the 1st stream of the IT-Aiel project, told how her fate changed after completing her studies and how she found her niche in robotics and after a long maternity leave was able to retrain as an IT specialist. We invite all interested women to take an active part and gain digital knowledge for free, which will allow them to find their niche in the IT industry, as well as join the TechnoWomen movement. Information about the implementation of projects on the accounts of @technowomenkz.