Kazakhstan's Presidential Archive embraces AI to revolutionize historical preservation

The Presidential Archive of Kazakhstan is transforming its operations with cutting-edge AI technology. Recent advancements include systems for document recognition, virtual assistance, and predictive storage management. These innovations mark a shift toward what officials call an 'intelligent archive' model. One of the most significant upgrades is the AI Archival Recognition System. This tool has boosted document processing capacity by forty times, handling vast collections more efficiently. The archive currently holds over 1.5 million archival units across more than 800 collections.

Another key development is AI Mura – Virtual Guide, a real-time interactive assistant. It communicates with visitors in Kazakh, Russian, and English, enhancing accessibility. The archive has also introduced QuralAI Assistant, an AI expert system designed to support document appraisal. For storage management, the institution now uses AI Geotopography. This system employs digital twin technology to analyse and forecast facility operations. The changes align with Kazakhstan’s broader push for digitalisation, including the declaration of 2026 as the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Between 2022 and 2023, the archive acquired extensive collections covering tragic 20th-century historical events. These additions surpass the total number of documents gathered in the previous century. The progress will be showcased at the III International Congress of Archivists, Digital Archive EXPO (DA-EXPO), opening in Astana on June 9 under the International Council on Archives.

The Presidential Archive’s new AI-driven systems are set to redefine archival work in Kazakhstan. Faster processing, smarter storage, and improved visitor engagement reflect the country’s commitment to modernising its institutions. The upcoming DA-EXPO will provide a platform to present these innovations to a global audience.