At the beginning of the 21st century, countries primarily competed in the speed of digitalization. Electronic government portals, digital services, electronic document management systems, and government platforms were created. The level of digitalization became one of the key indicators of public administration effectiveness.

However, digital transformation proved to be not an ultimate goal, but only the first stage of much broader changes.

Today, the world is entering a new phase of digital transformation in which, alongside the development of digital technologies, the ability of states to effectively govern artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important. The application of AI is rapidly expanding across public administration, the economy, finance, healthcare, education, and many other sectors. A fundamental transition is taking place from managing data to managing algorithms.

Unlike most previous technologies, artificial intelligence is gradually becoming an important element of modern public and corporate governance systems. It influences not only processes but also the mechanisms for preparing and making decisions. Therefore, issues related to its development inevitably extend into the spheres of public administration, law, and public trust.

Against this backdrop, one of the key questions of our time emerges:
How can trust in artificial intelligence technologies be ensured?

Practice shows that the deployment of technology alone does not guarantee safety, transparency, or fairness of decisions. Algorithms may make mistakes, reproduce biases, contain hidden risks, and affect the rights and interests of citizens.

As the use of artificial intelligence expands, requirements for accountability, transparency, and oversight continue to grow.

For this reason, leading countries, international organizations, and technology companies are focusing not only on AI development but also on creating mechanisms for its safe and responsible use.

In international practice, a distinct field known as AI Governance has emerged to address these challenges. It represents a system of principles, institutions, and mechanisms that ensure the safe, transparent, and responsible use of artificial intelligence technologies. Within this framework, approaches such as Responsible AI, AI Assurance, independent AI audits, and algorithmic risk assessment are actively developing.

Just as the industrial era required transport and energy infrastructure, and the digital era required data and communication infrastructure, the age of artificial intelligence requires the creation of a new type of infrastructure — an infrastructure of trust.

Within this system, not only technology developers but also independent experts, auditors, lawyers, ethicists, regulators, and civil society institutions play a crucial role. They shape new standards, independent assessment mechanisms, and practices for the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

For Kazakhstan, this transformation is of particular importance.

The country is among the regional leaders in the development of e-government and digital public services. At the same time, Kazakhstan views artificial intelligence as one of the strategic priorities for its future development.

President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has repeatedly emphasized that artificial intelligence should become an important driver of economic growth, national competitiveness, and the modernization of public administration.

It is also noteworthy that at the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Astana, the heads of the EAEU member states adopted a joint statement on the development of artificial intelligence. This confirms that AI Governance and Responsible AI are becoming important components of both national and regional development agendas.

In other words, the states of the future will be evaluated not only by their success in developing and implementing AI technologies, but also by their ability to effectively manage related risks, ensure accountability of algorithmic decisions, and maintain the trust of citizens and businesses in AI technologies.

For Kazakhstan, this means that the development of artificial intelligence and a national AI Governance system must evolve as interconnected elements of a unified state policy. The ability to ensure the safe, responsible, and transparent use of AI will determine the country's resilience and competitiveness in the new technological era.

If electronic government became the infrastructure of the digital state, then AI Governance is becoming the infrastructure of trust.

And trust, as global experience demonstrates, remains the key condition for the sustainable development of the state, society, and economy.