Аннотация
In the context of increasing global challenges of demographic pressure, climate change, resource depletion and threats to food security, agriculture is becoming a key element of sustainable development. This article is devoted to assessing the economic efficiency and potential of using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the agricultural sector, with an emphasis on international trends and the Kazakh context. The possibilities of AI for increasing yields, optimizing costs, predicting climate risks, improving logistics, and early detection of plant and animal diseases are analyzed. Based on the analysis of foreign cases and domestic initiatives, the practices of introducing AI in crop production, animal husbandry and agromonitoring are considered. The study provides a comparative and correlation analysis of macroeconomic, innovative and institutional indicators of the digital maturity of the agricultural sector in Kazakhstan for the period 2009-2023. Key barriers have been identified: low investment in R&D, fragmented scientific infrastructure, and limited institutional support. The article suggests strategic directions for the large-scale implementation of AI in agriculture: strengthening government support, developing innovative infrastructure, personnel training and digitalization of agricultural statistics. Thus, AI is considered as a multidisciplinary driver for improving the efficiency, sustainability and technological sovereignty of agriculture in Kazakhstan. The obtained results serve as an analytical basis for the formation of a comprehensive model of the digital transformation of agriculture. Key words: artificial intelligence, agriculture, food security, digital transformation, innovation in agriculture.