Major technology events of 2026 in Kazakhstan
Алима Муслиманова Журналист El.kz
By presidential decree, 2026 has been declared the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Kazakhstan is moving toward the large-scale adoption of neural networks across all sectors of the economy from manufacturing to healthcare.
TheEl.kz editorial board has compiled a list of key events in the first half of the year that will serve as major platforms for developers and businesses.
Digital Qazaqstan Forum
The country’s flagship technology forum is changing both its format and location. In 2026, it will be held in Shymkent for the first time under the theme “Industry 5.0: The Power of Collaboration.”Participants are set to discuss the implementation of AI in industry and logistics. The event will also host the Digital Qazaqstan Awards, recognizing the best AI startups.
HSIL AI Hackathon
An international hackathon by Harvard’s Systems Innovation Lab, set to become the largest academic AI platform in the region. The focus will be on solutions for healthcare and the social sector. Participants are expected to present projects in English and gain access to international acceleration programs.
GITEX AI Central Asia & Caucasus 2026
A regional edition of one of the world’s largest technology and AI events. The forum will take place in Almaty and bring together global tech companies, startups, investors, and experts in cloud solutions, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure. Organized with the participation of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development and Astana Hub, the event highlights its strategic importance for Central Asia as a whole.
Business Technology Expo
An international business technology exhibition to be held at the EXPO International Exhibition Center. The event targets entrepreneurs and executives seeking practical AI tools for business. Key topics include process automation, data analytics, and digital security. The expo will serve as a platform for integrating AI into small and medium-sized enterprises.
ANaMed AI Challenge
A specialized hackathon focused on AI solutions for the medicine of the future. The challenge will center on digital diagnostics, personalized treatment, and the modernization of clinical infrastructure. AI in healthcare is viewed not as an experimental technology, but as a tool to improve accessibility and quality of medical services.
AI Bridge 2026
The central technology event of the year and the official successor to the Digital Bridge forum. Global industry leaders such as NVIDIA, Google, and Microsoft are expected to attend. The highlight will be the Astana Hub Battle startup competition, featuring the largest prize fund in the region.
Technology events are no longer limited to capital cities and are increasingly held in major industrial centers across the country. This year will be decisive for the adoption of a new Digital Code and updated data regulation rules. At the same time, the government is placing special emphasis on supporting AI projects in the Kazakh language and on developing national AI models.
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