NVIDIA Physical AI Center proposed to open in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan could become a platform for hosting an NVIDIA Physical AI Hub and simulation technologies center in Central Asia. This proposal was voiced at a meeting between Sayasat Nurbek, the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic, and NVIDIA founder Jensen Huang. The event took place at Qazaq AI Research University (QAIRU) in Astana, the ministry's press service reported.

Physical Artificial Intelligence (Physical AI) involves the use of intelligent systems in the real world, the press service explained. In particular, it includes modeling physical processes, training robots, testing engineering solutions in a virtual environment, and developing digital twins of factories.

Nurbek named the development of the NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute (DLI) program as a key area of potential cooperation. 12 technical universities of the republic have already participated in a pilot mode, and 4 teachers have received the status of NVIDIA DLI ambassadors. In addition, it is proposed to expand the NVIDIA DLI Ambassador program to cover more than 100 universities. Thanks to the program, the best educational practices will be implemented in higher education institutions in Kazakhstan.

The ministry added that the NVIDIA Physical AI Hub could be formed on the basis of QAIRU with the participation of Kazakhstani universities, branches of foreign universities, and technology partners. It is expected to develop solutions within the NVIDIA Omniverse and Isaac ecosystems.

What areas are considered priority:

• creation of digital twins for enterprises in the fuel and energy complex, transport, and mining industries
• development of robotics and autonomous systems
• training engineers in the field of physical and industrial artificial intelligence
• research in Physical AI

The ministry expects that the center could become a platform for developing competencies in the field of physical AI and promoting Kazakhstani IT solutions to Central Asian markets.