PRIORITY CHALLENGES OF DIGITALIZATION IN KAZAKHSTAN: EXPERT ASSESSMENT, INTERRELATIONS OF PROBLEMS AND STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS

In the context of the rapid spread of digital technologies, Kazakhstan faces a set of priority challenges that require systemic analysis and strategic solutions. The purpose of the study is to identify the key problems of digital transformation in the country and determine the relationships between them. The work uses a qualitative approach based on expert interviews and content analysis of their responses. The survey involved 102 experts representing the public and private sectors, academia, and the media sphere, and a total of 214 expert statements were analyzed. The results showed that the most significant problems are cybersecurity and personal data protection, a low level of digital literacy, uneven access to digital infrastructure, insufficient digitalization of government agencies, as well as an imperfect regulatory framework. It was found that these problems form an interconnected system that complicates digital transformation and limits its sustainability. A conclusion was made about the need for an integrated approach combining infrastructure development, advanced training, improvement of legislation, and strengthening measures to ensure digital security. Prospects for further research related to the study of the effectiveness of regulatory mechanisms, the impact of digital inequality, and the formation of a cybersecurity culture are identified.