SOCIAL INEQUALITY AND NEW POVERTY IN THE ERA OF DIGITALIZATION: TOWARDS THE FORMATION OF THE DIGITAL SOCIETY PARADIGM IN KAZAKHSTAN

• Гульжан Алимбекова

  Public Opinion Research Center, Almaty, Kazakhstan

  Автор

• Айнур БАКЫТЖАНОВА

  аl-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

  Автор

The article examines how digitalization in Kazakhstan simultaneously expands opportunities and increases social inequality, leading to the emergence of the phenomenon of "new poverty". The aim of the work is to propose a sociological framework for assessing digital policy in a transitional economy, focusing on three key aspects of exclusion: access, skills and outcomes, as well as a new challenge the "AI gap". The research methodology includes a review of theories (digital inequality, digital capital), an analysis of international and national statistics (Internet prevalence, mobile communications, accessibility of services) and a synthesis of empirical data on Kazakhstan during the COVID-19 period, including the experience of teachers, schoolchildren and school leaders. The novelty of the work lies in the fact that the focus is not only on coverage and connectivity, but also on institutional access (schools, FAPs, PSC), quality of use (intensity of online interaction) and social outcomes (education, work, health). The results show that formal connection does not guarantee real inclusion. Equipment, licenses, stable internet, and support in rural and vulnerable regions are critical; lack of practical skills and low digital confidence among female caregivers, the elderly, and rural residents widen the gap. In addition, algorithmic practices without ethical and methodological guarantees can turn digital inequality into an "algorithmic" stratification of the labor market and access to services. The practical significance of the work consists in proposals to change digital policy indicators from "connectivity" to "results", the introduction of targeted vouchers for devices and the Internet, on-site training programs, as well as mandatory equity and DPIA audits for AI modules in education, social support and employment. The theoretical contribution is the formation of an integrative paradigm of a digital society for transition economies, taking into account infrastructural, institutional, cultural and gender aspects. The work also sets the agenda for future monitoring and evaluation necessary to reduce the risk of digital poverty entrenching at the intergenerational level.

1. Гульжан Алимбекова , Public Opinion Research Center, Almaty, Kazakhstan

   Public Opinion Research Center, Almaty, Kazakhstan

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