Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city and commercial hub, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Presight, an Abu Dhabi-based big data analytics firm, to develop a unified, artificial intelligence-driven urban operating system. This partnership aims to move the city beyond fragmented digital tools toward a single, intelligent layer that manages mobility, public safety, and municipal services in real time.
The agreement marks a significant escalation in Presight’s presence in Central Asia, building on its existing smart city projects in the capital, Astana. At the heart of this new initiative is a planned AI data centre, designed to provide the sovereign computing power necessary for long-term, scalable urban intelligence.
From Digital Tools to an Integrated Brain
The core of the partnership is the creation of what Presight calls an “Urban OS.” Unlike traditional smart city projects that often deploy isolated apps or sensors, this approach seeks to embed AI directly into the city’s core infrastructure.
“The goal is a single operational framework… rather than a collection of separate digital tools.”
This unified system will serve as the operational backbone for:
– Intelligent transport systems to optimize traffic flow and public transit.
– Real-time situational command centres for emergency response and public safety.
– Digital platforms that streamline access to municipal services for residents.
For a city of over two million people, this shift represents a leap from incremental digitalization to a holistic, data-driven management strategy. By integrating these functions, Almaty aims to improve efficiency, responsiveness, and the overall quality of urban life.
Infrastructure and Sovereignty
A critical component of the deal is the joint development of an AI data centre. Presight and the Almaty city government will collaborate on assessing technical requirements, including:
– Compute capacity and network architecture.
– Energy provision and cooling systems.
– Security protocols and site location.
This infrastructure is not just about processing power; it is designed to support sovereign AI deployment. This means the city will maintain control over its data and algorithms, ensuring that the AI systems powering its operations are secure, scalable, and tailored to local needs rather than reliant on foreign black-box solutions.
A Proven Track Record in Kazakhstan
The Almaty agreement is not Presight’s first foray into Kazakhstan. The company has spent years systematically building its footprint in the region:
– Astana Smart City Project: Presight is currently executing a $190 million, six-year contract to create a full digital twin of the capital. Notably, 60% of this project scope is managed by Kazakhstani companies, highlighting a focus on local capability building.
– Central Asia Hub: In May last year, Presight opened its regional hub at the Astana International Financial Centre, coinciding with a visit by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
– Local Talent: The company already employs over 40 local staff in Astana and plans to establish a second regional office in Almaty to support long-term delivery.
Why This Matters
This partnership reflects a broader trend in emerging economies: the move toward sovereign digital infrastructure. Cities are no longer just buying software; they are building the underlying hardware and data governance structures to own their digital future.
By anchoring its expansion in Kazakhstan with proven execution in Astana and now ambitious plans for Almaty, Presight is positioning itself as a key partner in Central Asia’s digital transformation. The success of the Almaty Urban OS could serve as a model for other cities seeking to balance advanced AI integration with local economic development and data sovereignty.
In summary, the Almaty-Presight partnership represents a strategic shift toward integrated, sovereign AI infrastructure, aiming to transform Kazakhstan’s largest city into a real-time, intelligent urban ecosystem while strengthening local technical capabilities.
