Abstract

The development of digital technologies is expanding the possibilities for conducting agricultural censuses, from organizing data collection to quality control and interaction with respondents. In Kazakhstan, the 2025 Agricultural Census served as a platform for the comprehensive application of these technologies and for exploring a new area: the use of artificial intelligence to provide consultation support to census participants.
Digital solutions supported the main stages of the census. Online and offline data collection, along with automated logical and format-logical checks, ensured the receipt and preliminary validation of information. Business intelligence (BI) tools and Data Inspection were used to monitor incoming data, analyze preliminary results, and identify unusual values. GIS tags made it possible to monitor interviewers’ locations and routes, while the automated workstation supported the preparation of contracts, certificates, and other administrative documents.
The first application of AI within the census focused on providing consultation support to respondents and census staff. Large-scale data collection generates recurring questions about how to complete the forms, the meaning of indicators, and participation in the census. To provide prompt explanations, the AI consultant “SanaqMyrza” was developed.
“SanaqMyrza” has been in use since the start of the Agricultural Census on 1 August 2025. Respondents could ask it for guidance on completing the forms, while census staff could receive consultation support in their work. AI became an additional support channel alongside the Unified Contact Centre, which answered census participants’ questions around the clock via the single number 1446. This made it possible to combine automated answers to frequently asked questions with consultations provided by operators.
During its period of operation, “SanaqMyrza” handled approximately 8,500 inquiries, accounting for 27.5% of all Agricultural Census inquiries received by the Unified Contact Centre. More than a quarter of the consultation workload was handled by this new digital tool. Its use made it possible to automate a significant share of initial consultation support and reduce the need to contact operators with routine questions.
The census experience marked the starting point for expanding the use of AI at the Bureau of National Statistics. The next step was a shift from answering questions related to a single statistical campaign to supporting users on statistics more broadly. On 1 May 2026, the AI assistant AI-STAT began operating at the Unified Contact Centre. The approach piloted during the Agricultural Census was thus extended to the Bureau’s ongoing engagement with users.
Further AI implementation also covered analytics and data processing. As of October 2026, the Bureau is implementing a range of AI solutions in three areas: user interaction, analytics, and data processing. In addition to consultation services, these include an analytical business register and an AI product classifier. Future plans include developing an AI assistant for the “Taldau” analytics platform to search, analyze, and visualize statistical indicators.
The 2025 Agricultural Census marked the beginning of a systematic expansion of AI use at the Bureau of National Statistics: from consultation support for census participants to ongoing user engagement, analytics, and statistical data processing.