ALMATY, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Kazakhstan will introduce the specialized artificial intelligence (AI) tool for education ChatGPT Edu into its national education system, the country's Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development said Wednesday.

The ministry said in a news release that Kazakhstan has become the first country in Central Asia to join OpenAI's international education program, the Education for Countries initiative. The initial group of participants includes Estonia, Greece, Italy's Conference of University Rectors, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Arab Emirates.

Amid global debates over the AI's impact on education, Kazakhstan has emphasized that "AI does not replace teachers, but rather enhances their professional capabilities," said the ministry.

According to the ministry, the use of ChatGPT Edu aims to reduce teachers' administrative and methodological workload and create conditions for more high-quality and personalized learning.

The ministry added that as part of the program, 165,000 ChatGPT Edu licenses will be provided free of charge to educational institutions across the country. ■