On October 1, the AI & Digital Bridge 2026 international technology forum kicked off in Astana as the central international event of AI MONTH, held as part of the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in Kazakhstan.

As part of the AI & Digital Bridge 2026 international IT forum, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited an exhibition showcasing promising projects in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and robotics.

The Head of State was shown the AI-Enabled University model implemented at Qazaq AI Research University, Kazakhstan’s first specialized research university focused on artificial intelligence and the first AI-Enabled university in Central Asia.

The presentation also featured the Trusted Kazakhstan digital service, the ALFA project for integrating AI into education in small rural schools, and new features of the national Aitu messenger.

Artificial intelligence solutions from the Samruk-Kazyna group were also showcased, including a digital twin of a deposit and the Smart Diagnostics project.

In addition, Higgsfield.ai generative AI technologies for video content creation and the Data Center Valley project, which aims to establish Central Asia's largest data center and AI infrastructure cluster, were showcased.

These developments aim to drive the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence across various sectors of the economy and public administration, support domestic digital infrastructure, and strengthen Kazakhstan's position as a regional technology hub.

This year’s core forum positioning — Kazakhstan is the Eurasian AI Hub — reflects the country’s course toward developing its own technological ecosystem, attracting international expertise and investment, training specialists, and creating conditions for the growth of AI companies.

This agenda continued during the key event of the forum's first day—a plenary session featuring the Head of State, where the development of artificial intelligence and the digital economy was examined in the context of Kazakhstan's subsequent technological transformations.

– "We are all witnessing how artificial intelligence technologies are radically transforming industry, finance, education, science, public administration, and people's way of life. With this in mind, the AI & Digital Bridge agenda is updated annually: new relevant topics emerge, and the range of participants expands. Alongside digitalization, the forum also features discussions on computing infrastructure, large language models, and robotics. Special attention is paid to legislative regulation and ensuring security in science and technology. Thus, AI & Digital Bridge effectively serves as a golden bridge for international contacts in the field of new technologies," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated.

The program also featured international speakers representing the global technology industry:

• Rev Lebaredian, Vice President of Physical AI Simulation at NVIDIA
• Bill Ford, Chairman and CEO of General Atlantic
• Balaji Srinivasan, founder of Network School
• Greg Wyler, founder, CEO, and chief architect at E-Space, and others

"A technological breakthrough is impossible without three conditions: clear and stable rules of the game, the trust of the business community, and close cooperation between government, business, and science. We need international knowledge exchange, joint research, investment, technological cooperation, and talent development. Kazakhstan consistently advocates for the peaceful, safe, and responsible development of artificial intelligence. Our position remains unchanged," Head of State Tokayev said.

Another central event of the first day was the grand opening of the Qazaq Artificial Intelligence Research University (QAIRU), a new research university where artificial intelligence forms the foundation of the educational and research environment. The establishment of QAIRU is aimed at training specialists and developing a research base for Kazakhstan's new technological economy.

The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan Zhaslan Madiyev.

"The university should become a magnet for talent and a flagship platform for developing new educational technologies. Our goal is to transition to personalized education using artificial intelligence and build a full cycle—from education and research to production, technological products, and their commercialization. Graduates must not only master modern AI tools, but also learn to apply them in practice, turning knowledge into economic impact," said Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The special program of the first day concluded with bilateral meetings dedicated to the development of international technological cooperation and new joint initiatives.

The first day of AI & Digital Bridge outlined the main directions of the forum's technological agenda: the development of the AI industry and computing infrastructure, human capital and technological entrepreneurship, attracting investment, and expanding international partnerships.

October 2–3: Forum Open Program

The main program of AI & Digital Bridge 2026 will continue on October 2–3 and will be accessible to ticket holders. It will bring together international experts, technology companies, investors, startups, and developers.

The program focuses on artificial intelligence and computing infrastructure, venture investment and digital finance, technology entrepreneurship, cybersecurity, human capital development, GameDev and creative industries, as well as the application of AI in business and public administration.

AI & Digital Bridge is becoming a platform for discussing not only the development of individual technologies, but also broader issues: where new AI companies will emerge, how to attract capital and talent, develop technological infrastructure, and shape new centers of the digital economy.

For Kazakhstan, the forum continues to position the country as a Eurasian AI hub and a platform for international technological cooperation.

For reference:

AI & Digital Bridge 2026 is taking place on October 1–3 in Astana and serves as the central international event of AI MONTH, a month dedicated to artificial intelligence and digital technology events.

The forum is organized by the Astana Hub International Innovation Cluster together with the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Akimat of Astana.

AI & Digital Bridge 2026 is funded through sponsorship funds with the support of the forum's partners.

Gold Partners: Freedom Bank, Kaspi Bank, Samruk-Kazyna JSC, and Kazakhtelecom JSC. Silver Partner: Halyk Bank. Business Partner: Beeline Kazakhstan. Bronze Partner: Yandex Qazaqstan. Telecom Partner: Freedom Telecom Operations LLP. Technology Partner: Transtelecom JSC. Official Airline Partner: Air Astana.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/maidd/press/news/details/1303280?lang=ru