Kazakhstan has announced a $1.9 billion agreement to construct a large-scale data center complex, aiming to establish itself as a central hub for AI infrastructure in Central Asia. The country's Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development signed the deal with an international consortium to initiate the project. This move comes as Kazakhstan seeks to capitalize on the growing global demand for AI computing capacity, which is projected to see significant investment in the coming years. Previously, Kazakhstan became a major destination for Bitcoin mining following China's 2021 crackdown, attracted by its cheap electricity and lenient regulations. However, the surge in mining operations strained the country's aging power grid, leading to blackouts and subsequent government crackdowns on unauthorized mining activities. As Kazakhstan embarks on this new data center venture, ensuring reliable power supply remains a critical challenge, with potential solutions including new energy partnerships or infrastructure developments.