The Washington Model for AI could become the basis of an international treaty under the auspices of the United Nations, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said as his country hosted a major international technology forum in Astana.
Tokayev made the proposal during Kazakhstan’s AI MONTH, a nationwide programme running from September 23 to October 23 as part of the country’s Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. The programme brings together technology companies, businesses, universities, startups, investors, international experts and regional initiatives. Its main international event, AI & Digital Bridge 2026, was held in Astana from October 1 to 3.
At the opening of the forum, Tokayev argued that artificial intelligence should not be treated as a substitute for human intelligence. Instead, he described it as a tool that can complement human capabilities. He also stressed the continuing importance of critical thinking, education and personal responsibility as AI systems become more capable.
The president called for a measured approach to regulation. In his view, strict requirements should focus on areas where security and citizens’ vital interests are directly at stake, while excessive regulation should not discourage skilled people, entrepreneurs and investment from developing within Kazakhstan.
Tokayev also placed emphasis on moving beyond discussion of AI and finding practical uses for the technology across the economy. He proposed an AI Challenge initiative that would identify specific demand for AI solutions and then move the most promising projects into real-world industrial applications.
The issue of safety was central to his remarks. Tokayev referred to the voluntary agreement signed in Washington on September 29 by the Trump administration and leading AI companies, which calls on companies to establish internal safety controls and subject their systems to additional internal and external review. The White House described the arrangement as a voluntary industry commitment rather than a law.
Tokayev said the agreement could provide a useful starting point for international discussions. He argued that a model developed around the Washington accord could eventually be considered by governments and experts as the foundation for a broader international framework.
“The accord signed in Washington DC could be regarded by all countries involved as a model to be introduced worldwide in AI sector,” Tokayev said at the third meeting of Kazakhstan’s Council for the Development of Artificial Intelligence. He added that the proposed “Washington Model” could become the core of an international treaty under UN auspices.
The proposal would move the discussion from voluntary commitments by technology companies toward a broader international framework involving states and multilateral institutions. Tokayev said Kazakhstan was prepared to provide a platform for substantive international dialogue on the issue and asked members of the country’s AI council to develop concrete proposals for the initiative.
He said Kazakhstan’s common position would be presented at the G20 Summit in Miami in December. The proposal also builds on Kazakhstan’s earlier participation in international discussions on AI governance. In July, the country’s delegation took part in the inaugural UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, where Kazakhstan called for common approaches to data protection, security, transparency and accountability in AI systems.
The comments came as Kazakhstan sought to use AI MONTH and the Digital Bridge forum to strengthen its role in the international technology sector. Government officials have described AI MONTH as a programme covering the wider AI ecosystem, from education and talent development to product creation, investment and international cooperation.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 brought senior figures from the technology and investment industries to Astana. Among those taking part were William E. Ford, chairman and CEO of General Atlantic; Rev Lebaredian, vice president of Physical AI Simulation at NVIDIA; Balaji Srinivasan, founder of Network School; and Greg Wyler, founder of OneWeb and founder, CEO and chief architect of E-Space.
The forum also featured discussions around AI, robotics, investment, startups, digital infrastructure, talent and creative industries. Kazakhstan’s government has positioned the event as a central meeting point for its growing technology ecosystem and international companies and investors.
The country’s AI agenda extends beyond the forum itself. AI MONTH began with HackAlem AI, an AI-focused hackathon, and is scheduled to conclude on October 23 with the Grand Final of the alem.ai battle. The programme was expanded from the earlier AI Week format to cover a wider range of initiatives across Kazakhstan.
The third meeting of the Council for the Development of Artificial Intelligence added another international dimension to the programme. Participants included Kai-Fu Lee, chairman and CEO of Sinovation Ventures and CEO of 01.AI; Mansoor Al Mansoori, chairman of the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi and CEO of G42 International; Alexander Khanin, founder and director of Polynome Group; and Ya-Qin Zhang, founding dean of the Institute for AI Industry Research at Tsinghua University.
For Tokayev, however, the international discussion is ultimately tied to how AI will affect people and economies. His remarks in Astana combined support for technological development with a call for greater responsibility in how advanced systems are built and deployed.
The proposed Washington Model remains a starting point for discussion rather than an international treaty. The US accord itself is voluntary and does not have the force of law. Whether a framework based on it could gain support among governments and become part of a UN-backed agreement would depend on future negotiations between states, technology companies and international institutions.
