International Exhibition GITEX AI Kazakhstan 2026 Opens in Almaty

Almaty has become the epicentre of the global technology agenda for several days, as the GITEX AI Kazakhstan 2026 forum - the largest artificial intelligence and digital technology event in Central Asia - has commenced. The Atakent International Exhibition Centre is bringing together government representatives, international IT companies, startups, and the investment community, creating a space to discuss the future of the digital economy and launch new partnerships in practice.

The event is organised by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of Kazakhstan, the international innovation cluster Astana Hub, and the Almaty city administration. The global operator is inD, which is bringing one of the world's largest technology platforms to the heart of Eurasia.

GITEX AI Kazakhstan 2026 reflects the country's systematic commitment to developing artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and integration into the global technology ecosystem. The forum is becoming an instrument for the implementation of state policy aimed at creating a favourable environment for innovation, attracting investment, and strengthening international cooperation.

The event takes place in the context of the Year of Artificial Intelligence in Kazakhstan, underscoring the priority given to AI development at the state level. The consistent advancement of infrastructure, the regulatory framework, and human capital is building a long-term foundation for the adoption of technology across key sectors of the economy.

Against this backdrop, Kazakhstan is demonstrating rapid momentum: over the past seven years, the country's technology ecosystem has grown 18-fold to $26 billion, according to Dealroom.co. The forum in Almaty continues this trend, bringing together more than 300 companies and startups, 150 speakers, and over 100 investors from around the world.

Particular attention on the agenda is devoted to the region's infrastructure potential. Mobile internet penetration across Central Asian countries has reached 93%, and Kazakhstan maintains its leadership in digital infrastructure development: by 2030, data centre capacity could increase more than fivefold to 20,000 racks. The growth of computing capacity for artificial intelligence is transforming the country into a key destination for cross-border investment.

This interest is already materialising in the participant line-up. Global technology leaders represented in Almaty include Cisco, Google Cloud, Huawei, Dell, Lenovo, Salesforce, and others. They have brought not concepts, but applied solutions — from sovereign AI infrastructure to secure government digital systems.

Alongside international players, Kazakhstani companies forming the backbone of the national digital economy are widely represented, including Kazakhtelecom, Kcell, Beeline Kazakhstan, and Akashi Data Center.

GITEX AI Kazakhstan 2026 also strengthens the investment dimension. More than 100 investors from 28 countries with combined assets exceeding $200 billion are viewing the region as a new growth opportunity. Among them are international funds from the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, including Sturgeon Capital. The focus is on more than 100 regional startups, including projects from the Astana Hub and IT Park Uzbekistan ecosystems.

The forum is becoming a platform for scaling Central Asian technology companies. Startups are presenting export-oriented solutions targeting global markets, accelerating the transition to an innovation economy and boosting the region's competitiveness.

The business programme covers key areas of technology development — from AI and fintech to cybersecurity, Industry 4.0, and smart energy. Over two days, more than 150 speakers from over 60 countries are discussing the future of the digital economy, investment, and human capital development. Among them are Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev, as well as international experts including Kai-Fu Lee.

Dedicated tracks are focused on startup development and the venture market. On the NXT Stage, founders, investors, and government representatives discuss project scaling, while Supernova Pitch finalists present their solutions directly to global funds.

As part of the forum's business programme, a number of key panel sessions are planned that reflect the strategic technology and innovation agenda: among them Trusted Kazakhstan, dedicated to issues of a trusted digital environment and sovereign technologies; From Region to Global: The Rise of Startups, which will launch an international accelerator and discuss mechanisms for startups to enter global markets; and The Digital Reserve: Building Regional AI & Startup Powerhouses featuring Tanat, where experts will examine the formation of regional AI centres of competence. Additionally, the forum will host the signing of a number of memoranda of cooperation aimed at developing partnerships, investment collaboration, and technology exchange.

The launch of GITEX AI Kazakhstan 2026 thus consolidates Kazakhstan's status as a regional technology and artificial intelligence hub. The forum establishes a sustainable platform for international dialogue, investment attraction, and the development of an innovation economy, positioning the country as a gateway to the Central Asian markets and an active participant in the global technology agenda.