On November 19, 2025, the Institute held its First Strategic Session titled “A Social and Humanitarian Research Institute in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” The event marked an important step in rethinking the role of social and humanitarian research amid rapid technological change.

The session introduced a new working format for the Institute, aimed at identifying modern approaches, updating the research agenda, and expanding opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. Today, as digitalization and artificial intelligence transform social, economic, educational, and cultural processes, the humanities face not only new challenges but also fundamentally new analytical tools. The first session focused on the integration of advanced technologies into research while preserving the depth and foundational nature of humanitarian knowledge.

The session was opened by Aigul Sadvokasova, General Director of the Institute. In her address, she emphasized the importance of rethinking the Institute’s mission in the context of digital transformation. The General Director noted that artificial intelligence does not pose a threat to humanitarian research — on the contrary, it opens new opportunities for analyzing social processes, improving the accuracy of forecasts, and expanding the horizons of academic work.

A. Sadvokasova also stressed the need to develop competencies that allow researchers to work at the intersection of data, technology, and humanitarian methodology. Special attention in her speech was given to the experience gained at key international intellectual platforms in 2025 — Digital Bridge 2025, the Astana Think Tank Forum 2025, and the Strategic Partners Forum of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The General Director shared analytical conclusions and contemporary approaches discussed at these events, noting the global trend toward integrating the humanities with technology and data analysis. These insights became an important reference point for further strategic discussions within the Institute.

In an atmosphere of active dialogue, staff members discussed the transformation of scientific methods, the potential use of artificial intelligence in research and analytical activities, human resource development, and ethical aspects of human–technology interaction. The adaptation of the humanities to modern information-processing methods and new forms of knowledge production was a key topic. Experts noted that such discussions help identify growth points, relevant trends, and practical proposals for the Institute’s development.

The First Strategic Session laid the foundation for shaping the Institute’s updated strategy. The event demonstrated the Institute’s openness to innovation and its readiness to actively shape the scientific agenda of the future. Lively idea exchanges, expert presentations, and joint discussions showed that the Institute is confidently moving toward creating a modern, flexible, and technologically advanced research environment capable of responding to contemporary challenges and generating new solutions for society.