An applied research center that helps people navigate a changing economy. We analyze what is happening, understand how technology is changing it, and help prepare for the future.
We do not simply offer services. We solve real problems faced by the state, business, and civil society in conditions of uncertainty.
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A possible increase in VAT in Kazakhstan from 12% to 20% will lead to higher prices, lower real incomes and higher inflation. This forecast was made by Askar Kysykov, director of the Talap Center for Applied Research, on the Rossiya 24 TV channel. The Government of Kazakhstan is discussing tax reform in order to solve the problem of the state budget deficit. The reform involves an increase in VAT from 12% to 20%.
An expanded government meeting was held today with the participation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Opening the meeting, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that global processes can have a strong impact on the republic, which must be prepared for. At the same time, at the meeting, the Head of State emphasized that it is necessary to start living within your means, spending money only on solving the most important tasks. For more information, see the talk show "Results".
Japan is launching a five-year program to develop a national multimodal AI model for robots and autonomous manufacturing: 378.3 billion yen in the first year, annual stage-gate audits, and the transfer of trained weights to the entire ecosystem. We break down the program based on primary sources — and what Kazakhstan should take note of.
By Decree of the President No. 1311 of 9 June 2026, the Nationwide Strategy for Large-Scale Digitalization and the Comprehensive Deployment of AI Technologies, “Digital Qazaqstan,” was approved until 2029. TALAP analyzed the document: what goals and indicators it sets, how it differs from previous programs, and what it means for citizens, business, and the state.
Material No. 1 in the series “School in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” TALAP Center for Applied Research, in collaboration with Global Education Futures.
Global governance practice is gradually moving away from a model in which decisions are made only after a crisis has already become visible. Governments, international organizations and major companies are increasingly focusing on the early identification of change, testing decisions against different scenarios and preparing courses of action before a situation reaches a critical stage.
