Nazarbayev University Highlights Artificial Intelligence Advancements and Academic Startups at Bett Exhibition 2025
The Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) at Nazarbayev University showcased two groundbreaking AI projects at the British Educational Training and Technology Show (Bett Show) in London on January 22-24. The Soyle App and the ISSAI KAZ-LLM Kazakh language model, both developed by the university, were presented as key contributions to the advancement of AI technology, particularly in the realm of Kazakh language processing and education solutions [1].
The Soyle App: Bridging Communication Gaps
The Soyle App, built on Kazakhstan's speech model, offers a range of features including speech recognition, voice synthesis, and instant translation into Kazakh, Russian, English, and Turkish. The app aims to bridge communication gaps and enhance Kazakhstan's growing digital landscape.
ISSAI KAZ-LLM: A Kazakh Version of GPT
The ISSAI KAZ-LLM model, a large language model, is poised to serve as the foundation for a Kazakh version of GPT. The model's performance rivals that of global AI leaders in Kazakh, Russian, and English, making it a significant breakthrough in generative AI for low-resource languages. The model was trained on a neural network supporting Kazakh, Russian, English, and Turkish.
Artisan Education: A Platform for Robotics and Programming
In addition to the Soyle App and ISSAI KAZ-LLM, Artisan Education, a platform for self-study of robotics and programming, was also presented at the exhibition. Artisan Education's approach begins with foundational lessons in programming and electronics, culminating in students assembling their robotic models. The startup team consists of 13 members, eight of whom are NU students.
A Global Hub for Educational Technology
Thousands of educators and innovators attended this year's Bett Show to explore cutting-edge solutions shaping the future of education. As a global hub for educational technology, the Bett Show annually features over 600 innovative exhibits, discussions, and workshops led by EdTech experts.
Expanding Horizons
Artisan Education has partnered with over 90 schools in Kazakhstan and is expanding internationally, including into Azerbaijan and the U.K. The solutions presented by Nazarbayev University, including the Soyle App, ISSAI KAZ-LLM, and Artisan Education, reflect their commitment to integrating AI in education and language technology, advancing local linguistic AI capabilities through their Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence [1].
Zhanat Makhataeva, senior data analyst at NU's Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI), presented two of NU's standout contributions at the Bett Show. The ISSAI team processed, synthesized, and translated over 150 billion tokens to create a robust dataset for the ISSAI KAZ-LLM large language model. The translation quality of the ISSAI KAZ-LLM outperforms tools such as Google Translate, Yandex Translate, and GPT-4o.
The showcase at the Bett Show demonstrates the strides Kazakhstan is making in AI innovation, particularly in the field of education and language technology. The Soyle App and ISSAI KAZ-LLM are significant steps towards enhancing AI capabilities in the Kazakh language and providing innovative educational tools for students around the world.
[1] Nazarbayev University (2025). Nazarbayev University showcases AI solutions at Bett Show in London. [online] Available at: https://nu.edu.kz/news/nazarbayev-university-showcases-ai-solutions-at-bett-show-in-london/ [Accessed 10 March 2023].
The Soyle App and ISSAI KAZ-LLM, showcased by Nazarbayev University at the Bett Show, are utilizing artificial-intelligence technology to bridge communication gaps and advance Kazakh language education. These projects, particularly the ISSAI KAZ-LLM which rivals global AI leaders in Kazakh, Russian, and English, are significant breakthroughs in the realm of education-and-self-development through online-learning, expanding the horizons of AI technology.
