Kazakhstan to roll out UAE-backed AI surveillance this year
Presight to install over 20,000 new cameras with threat detection, replacing Kazakhstan’s previous Sergek monitoring system
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Kazakhstan will introduce a nationwide AI-powered surveillance system by the end of 2025 under a deal with a United Arab Emirates-based technology provider, city officials have confirmed.
The initiative will replace the Sergek monitoring network that had operated in the capital since 2017. According to independent outlet Kursiv media, all Sergek infrastructure has been handed over to Presight, a UAE company that opened its Astana office in May this year.
Mayor Zhenis Kassymbek said the plan involves installing over 20,000 additional cameras, nearly quadrupling the number already in place. Installation and testing are scheduled for completion by December, when the upgraded system will go live.
Developers say the new network will not only detect traffic violations such as mobile phone use while driving, seat belt neglect, and unauthorized parking, but also identify potential threats.
These include spotting weapons, anticipating mass disturbances, monitoring stray animals, and tracking illegal dumping — all aimed at strengthening public safety.
City authorities told Kursiv media the project’s total value is 93.2 billion tenge ($173 million). Of this, 53.5 billion tenge ($99.4 million) will fund installation and infrastructure upgrades, while 39.7 billion tenge ($73.7 million) will cover five years of maintenance through 2030. Officials stressed the program will be financed entirely by the foreign partner.
Astana currently operates around 6,000 surveillance cameras, while the Sergek system continues to function in a dozen other cities across Kazakhstan.
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