The event brought together leading experts from Kazakhstan and China to discuss the role of artificial intelligence in legal systems, legislative development, and dispute resolution.
The AIFC Court and the International Arbitration Centre (IAC), in cooperation with Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU), Astana IT University (AITU), and the China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL), held the legal forum “A Joint Approach to Legal Tech Foresight and Law” on 26 November 2025 in Astana.
The forum was opened by Thomas Krummel, Chairman of the IAC. The event brought together leading experts from Kazakhstan and China to discuss the role of artificial intelligence in legal systems, legislative development, and dispute resolution.
Sergei Pen, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of MNU for Science, Innovation, and Artificial Intelligence, emphasized the strategic importance of the new partnership, noting that it opens a new stage of long-term scientific cooperation that unites legal expertise and advanced AI technologies. He also highlighted the key opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into everyday legal practice, stressing the need to continue improving technological solutions, particularly in legal tech.
Sagyt Bakirov, Advisor to the Rector of Astana IT University, spoke about the technological foundations required for implementing AI-based solutions in the legal field, with a special focus on the development process of the joint Legal Tech Lab project. He noted both the technical feasibility of the initiative and its significant social benefits, including improved efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of dispute resolution processes.
Professor Kong Qingjiang, Dean of the China Arbitration Institute at CUPL, shared his vision of the role of AI in legislative development. He examined how AI can enhance legal consistency, optimize document preparation processes, and support lawmakers, while also pointing out the necessary measures to ensure accuracy, legality, and accountability.
Professor Linhan Zhang, Dean of the Institute of Law and AI Technologies at CUPL and member of the UN High-Level Advisory Board on AI, examined AI from the perspective of global governance and the UN’s multilateral approach, drawing on her experience working at the United Nations. She emphasized the importance of international cooperation and ethical frameworks in developing reliable AI systems that serve the interests of justice, stability, and sustainable development worldwide.
At the end of the event, the AIFC Court and IAC, Maqsut Narikbayev University, Astana IT University, and CUPL issued a joint statement announcing the launch of the Legal Tech Lab—an innovative collaborative project aimed at developing an AI model capable of assisting in the preparation of legal documents. This initiative is intended to provide a technological solution that will strengthen Kazakhstan’s legislative system and enhance the efficiency of legal processes in the region.
Christopher Campbell-Holt OBE, Registrar and Chief Executive of the AIFC Court and IAC:
“Our goal is to combine our efforts in a unique collaborative format to develop a new project that we plan to offer to a wide range of stakeholders in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. We strive to leverage the world’s best AI expertise to develop legislative initiatives at the parliamentary level, with the aim of significantly improving judicial, legal, and business processes on a daily basis. Our ultimate objective is to enhance efficiency, which we hope will contribute to the growth of international business through Kazakhstan and strengthen connections between people across the world.”
Sergei Pen, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of MNU for Science, Innovation, and Artificial Intelligence:
“This partnership holds high strategic significance for MNU, as it marks the beginning of long-term scientific cooperation that brings together legal expertise and advanced AI technologies. Together with AITU, CUPL, and the AIFC Court and IAC, we will focus on developing proactive, AI-driven regulatory solutions and creating scalable products in the fields of LegalTech and GovTech. The implementation of these initiatives will strengthen national regulatory foresight mechanisms and provide tangible benefits to the government, businesses, and society, responding to the growing demand for technology-oriented governance.
We have also initiated the creation of a LegalTech Association, which will institutionalize this area and expand expert collaboration. We are committed to advancing this initiative and transforming scientific developments into practical tools that foster the innovative development of the country.”
Sagyt Bakirov, Advisor to the Rector of Astana IT University:
“Our task is to prepare specialists capable of working at the intersection of technology, law, and governance. The signing of the memorandum on the establishment of the Legal Tech Lab creates a solid foundation for innovation and for developing the global market of competencies in which Kazakhstan aims to take a strong position.”
The AIFC Court and IAC are recognized by lawyers representing Chinese investors in Kazakhstan as key institutions ensuring multibillion-dollar investments, the rule of law, and investor protection. According to 2024 data, Chinese investments in Kazakhstan reached USD 45 billion, with joint Kazakh–Chinese projects actively developing in transit, transportation, high technology, and agriculture. More than 60 disputes involving Chinese investors operating in Kazakhstan have been successfully resolved by the AIFC Court and IAC.
The AIFC Court and IAC are the preferred international institutions for resolving commercial disputes for businesses across Eurasia, including a growing number of companies from China. Since beginning operations on 1 January 2018, they have reviewed and enforced more than 4,500 cases.
