60,000 Cameras and 35 AI Scenarios: Astana's Safety Digitalization

Astana is experiencing a structured digital transformation as part of the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. The city is focusing on three strategic directions: 'Safe City', 'Open City', and 'Smart City'. Berik Akhmetov, head of the Astana Digitalization and Public Services Department, shared the results of the first half of 2026 at a briefing in the capital's Communications Service, reports Housing and Utilities 24, referencing the city administration's website.

Astana Smart City Project

One of the largest initiatives is the Astana Smart City project. Its core elements are a dedicated Data Processing Center and a City Situational Center, creating a unified digital management contour for the city.

The Data Processing Center (DPC) is specifically designed to meet the needs of urban infrastructure, providing centralized storage and processing of city data, video streams, and AI analytics outcomes. The center complies with the international TIER III reliability standard and national information security requirements.

Based on this infrastructure, the City Situational Center operates, integrating video surveillance, emergency, utility, and other city services.

"Today, the platform is connected to over 60,000 cameras, with 35 AI video analytics scenarios implemented. They help detect smoke and fires, crowds, fights, and other emergency situations. More than 1,200 hardware-software complexes provide automatic registration of 15 types of traffic violations. Over 18 city services are integrated into a single system, reducing incident reporting time from 10 minutes to real-time. More than 2,500 incidents were handled in the first half of the year," the speaker noted.

The expansion of video surveillance in public spaces continues. Between 2022-2025, 4,430 cameras were installed at 860 sites. In 2026, another 1,200 cameras are planned for 240 sites, of which 1,142 have already been installed.

Special attention is given to children's safety. In the second phase of the project in 2026, around 2,000 cameras and 100 SOS buttons have been installed in 100 state schools. Over 10,000 school cameras are integrated into the unified system overall.

This year, a comprehensive security system is also being implemented in state kindergartens. The first phase involves installing 1,700 cameras, 100 panic buttons, and 100 video intercoms, as well as integrating 4,000 existing cameras.

Open City Direction

In the 'Open City' direction, the development of digital services for residents continues. In the first half of the year, the iKomek 109 unified contact center processed more than 1.1 million inquiries, with 83% of issues resolved on the first call. Over 20,000 users have registered on the Birge platform, processing around 30,000 applications.

A key achievement of the year is the launch of Astana.kz, the capital's unified digital portal. Currently, more than 14,000 users are registered on the platform, with over 115 city and utility services available. The number of applications has exceeded 15,000.

The consolidation of QalaQyzmet into Astana.kz has brought utility services together on one platform. In the first half, over 103,000 applications were processed online and through front offices. The functionality of Astana.kz is continually expanding, with the development of an AI assistant, Super App, 'InvaTaxi', and 'My Library' services.

Digitalization in Healthcare

Digital solutions are also being implemented in healthcare. Cerebra AI is operational in three stroke centers in the capital, aiding in stroke diagnosis via CT scans and reducing diagnostic time to 5 minutes. Over 5,700 studies were processed in the first half of the year.

The process of medical examination for conscripts is fully digitalized. More than 7,400 individuals underwent the system in the first half of the year. The Healthcare Situational Center consolidates data from 29 medical organizations over more than 220 indicators.

Development of Telecommunication Infrastructure

The development of telecommunication infrastructure continues. The capital has 423 5G base stations, with plans to install another 74 by year-end. Of the 22 identified areas with inadequate connectivity, 12 have been resolved.

Smart City Direction

In the 'Smart City' direction, AI Lab is developing a city innovation ecosystem encompassing the AI Council, R&D outline, and acceleration programs. Currently, about 11 startups and technology projects are supported in the R&D outline.

The third wave of the Astana Innovations Accelerator was launched in 2026. Over 300 applications were received, with 29 startups selected.

Among socially significant projects is the Úmit pilot in the 'Sharapat' social service center. The intelligent mouthpiece allows people with limited mobility to control smartphones, computers, electric wheelchairs, and other devices without using their hands.

"As a result of the first half of the year, the capital's digital transformation is moving from isolated solutions to systemic application in city management. Our goal is for technology to deliver tangible results for residents, enhance safety, simplify service delivery, and make city processes more efficient," concluded Berik Akhmetov.

Photo: gov.kz