AI Readiness Assessment for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Kazakhstan: Methodology, Challenges and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly recognized as a strategic driver of digital transformation, operational efficiency, and sustainable economic growth. Across the world, AI technologies are reshaping business models, improving decision-making, and increasing organizational competitiveness. In Kazakhstan, national digitalization initiatives have created favorable conditions for AI adoption; however, most small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remain insufficiently prepared to implement AI effectively because of limited digital maturity and the absence of a structured readiness assessment framework.

Existing international AI readiness frameworks have primarily been developed for large organizations operating in technologically advanced economies. Consequently, they do not fully reflect the financial capacity, regulatory environment, and operational characteristics of Kazakhstan's SMEs. To address this gap, this paper proposes the AI Ready Kazakhstan methodology, a context-specific framework designed to evaluate organizational preparedness for AI adoption while considering technological, organizational, and legal factors relevant to Kazakhstan.

The proposed methodology consists of five interrelated dimensions: digital infrastructure readiness, data readiness, organizational readiness, human capital readiness, and legal readiness. Digital infrastructure assesses the availability of information systems, cloud technologies, cybersecurity mechanisms, and digital resources. Data readiness evaluates data quality, accessibility, governance, and consistency. Organizational readiness examines strategic commitment, innovation culture, and change management. Human capital readiness measures employees' AI competencies and digital skills, whereas legal readiness focuses on compliance with personal data protection, information security, intellectual property, and ethical AI principles.