Almaty has been included in the inaugural Intelligent Cities Index 2026, compiled by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), according to infohub.kz.
The index assesses how cities leverage AI and digital tools to enhance living standards, boost economic growth, and streamline governance. It factors in both digital adoption and tangible outcomes for citizens.
Kazakhstan's largest city placed 38th out of 61 global metropolises with a score of 62, outperforming Istanbul (52nd, 55), Delhi (43rd, 59), Milan (41st, 61), Warsaw (47th, 58), and Mexico City (53rd, 55). Almaty ranked near Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Jakarta.
BCG analysts evaluated five dimensions: citizen outcomes, strategic vision, digital and AI deployment, governance effectiveness, and infrastructure, funding, and human capital. Almaty was categorized as a "developing city," meaning it is steadily advancing its digital ecosystem and technology adoption.
London tops the Intelligent Cities Index 2026, followed by Dubai, New York, Washington, and Amsterdam. BCG emphasizes that these cities excel at embedding AI and digital tools into urban life. The report stresses that a true smart city is not defined by the sheer volume of technology, but by how effectively digital solutions improve residents' daily lives, streamline services, and drive economic growth.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that Almaty was named the top student city in Central Asia in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 ranking.