INTERNATIONAL WINTER SCHOOL: «Artificial Intelligence, the WTO and the Future of Global Trade »

On January 30-31, 2026, the International Winter School «Artificial Intelligence, the WTO and the Future of Global Trade» was successfully held within the framework of the Center of the International Law Department - the Center for WTO and International Trade Law.

The participants of the International Winter School were 1st and 2nd year Turkmen students of the Abylai Khan Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages, majoring in international law. The winter school was held in a hybrid format through online and offline sessions at the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Faculty of International Relations. The event was moderated by PhD, Senior Lecturer of the Department of International Law, Director of the Center for WTO and International Trade Law – Otynshiyeva Aidana Aitukyzy.

Dean of the Faculty of International Relations, professor Sairambayeva Zh.T., Head of the Department of International Law, associate professor Altayeva K.Zh., deputy head of the Department of International Law for scientific and innovative work and international relations, PhD Baimagambetova Z.M. opened the international winter school with welcoming words.

During the program, experts, lecturers and professors participated in in-depth discussions on the intersection of World Trade, artificial intelligence and global development. Discussions covered key topics such as the role of the WTO in the digital age, artificial intelligence and international trade law. Experts examined the agreement on digital trade, trade aspects of intellectual property rights, issues of antitrust regulation and innovation, and the impact of international cooperation, especially in the context of international law.

Main sessions and speakers:

-                    Antitrust regulation and innovation – candidate of Law, Associate Professor Yergobek Sh.K. (vice-rector for academic and methodological work of the T. Zhurgenov Kazakh National Academy of Arts);

-                    International trade in electric vehicles in the era of digitalization: legal challenges and prospects – PhD Akhmetova A.A. (Senior Lecturer of the Department of International Law, Abylai Khan Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages);

-                    Digital certification of organic products as a legal tool for sustainable development of the agro-industrial complex - PhD, assistant professor of the Department of International Law Nyssanbekova L.B. and 2^nd year doctoral student Wang Dalin;

-                    Artificial intelligence in court, business and government: legal aspects – deputy head of the Department for educational, methodological and educational work, acting associate professor Baitukayeva D.U.;

-                    Artificial intelligence in Jurisprudence: legal problems and development opportunities – assistant professor of the Department of International Law Tussupova A.Zh.;

-                    WTO and digital trade: a new direction in the global economy – PhD, Senior Lecturer Ryssaldiyeva A.Ye.;

-                    The problem of «parallel imports» in international trade and the depletion of trademark rights: the search for a balance of interests (on the example of the EAEU) – PhD, Senior Lecturer Otarbayeva A.B.;

-                    Prompt engineering: effective interaction with artificial intelligence – Master of international law, lecturer Toktarbekova M.Ye.;

-                    Digitalization of the Silk Road: integration of artificial intelligence and WTO standards into the legal framework of the Organization of Turkic states – 1^st year master's student Imanov S.S.;

-                    Legal aspects of medical tourism – master's student Nurserik L.

The hybrid format promoted a dynamic exchange of academic perspectives, enabling speakers and participants to work together on current global challenges, debate the relationship of artificial intelligence with trade, and propose solutions, strengthening the WTO's role in sustainable global trade. After the end of the international winter school, all participants and speakers were awarded certificates.

We would like to thank all the speakers, organizers and participants for their contribution to the academic experience! We look forward to continuing these discussions and strengthening future cooperation on trade and sustainable development!

Organizers of the International Winter School: PhD, associate professor of the Department of International Law – Baimagambetova Z.M. and PhD, Senior Lecturer of the Department of International Law – Otynshiyeva A.A.