Why the Region’s Leading Technology Event Is Not to Be Missed
Artificial intelligence is already transforming markets, professions, and business models. However, the greatest competitive advantage belongs not to those who merely observe these changes, but to those who are the first to discover new technologies, build strategic partnerships, and identify opportunities for growth.
From October 1 to 3, Astana will become a hub for international technology dialogue. The EXPO International Exhibition Center will host AI & Digital Bridge 2026, one of the largest technology forums in the region.
Over the course of just a few days, participants will be able to explore solutions set to shape the market in the years ahead, connect with representatives of global Big Tech companies, meet investors and potential partners, showcase their products, and discover how artificial intelligence can be applied today.
In June 2026, the Government of Kazakhstan, Firebird, and NVIDIA signed a $10 billion package of agreements in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. This sent a strong signal to the international market: Kazakhstan intends to secure a prominent position on the global AI map.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 is particularly significant in the context of Kazakhstan’s national agenda, as 2026 has officially been designated the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. This highlights the forum’s strategic importance as one of the key platforms for discussing and advancing artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and technology entrepreneurship.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 will be the next milestone where the attention of the global technology community is expected to translate into concrete partnerships, investments, and new projects.
Over the years, the forum has brought together more than 127,000 participants from over 100 countries, 1,500 speakers, 600 startups, and 500 investors. In 2026, the event is expected to welcome more than 20,000 participants and over 100 technology companies.
For entrepreneurs, investors, developers, and executives, the forum offers an opportunity to become part of an environment where decisions are made, new connections are established, and international projects are launched.
Speakers Shaping the Future of Technology
The AI & Digital Bridge 2026 stage will feature leaders who are not merely discussing the future — they are building it:
• Rev Lebaredian — Vice President at NVIDIA
• Alex Mashrabov — Co-Founder of Higgsfield
• Greg Wyler — Founder and CEO of E-Space
• William Ford — Chairman and CEO of General Atlantic
• Balaji Srinivasan — Founder of Network School
• Other representatives of the global technology and investment community
Forum participants will hear firsthand where the global artificial intelligence market is heading, which technologies are attracting investment, how to build global technology products, and which skills will be in particularly high demand in the coming years.
The programme will focus on practical issues:
Kazakhstan as Eurasia’s AI Hub — AI infrastructure, smart cities, digital platforms, and the development of regional IT hubs.
The Emerging Global AI Architecture — the United States, China, MENA, Europe, and new technology hubs: who is shaping the rules, standards, and access to technology?
AI in the Real Economy — finance, banking, healthcare, and other industries: from AI agents to the practical implementation of artificial intelligence.
From Startup to Global AI Company — international accelerators, venture capital, first customers, investment, global market entry, and scaling.
Jobs of the Future and the Creative Economy — emerging digital professions and the development of GameDev, film, music, and generative content.
A single day at the forum can generate more valuable connections and ideas than months of independent research.
Astana Hub — an international technology park for IT startups and one of the key drivers of technology entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan — plays a central role in shaping the forum’s technology and startup agenda. The Astana Hub ecosystem brings together technology companies, startups, investors, and professionals while providing funding, incubation, acceleration, and international cooperation programmes.
At AI & Digital Bridge 2026, Astana Hub is responsible for a major part of the startup and entrepreneurship programme, including Startup Alley, pitch sessions, and Astana Hub Battle. These initiatives give technology teams an opportunity to present their solutions to investors, potential partners, and an international audience.
On October 1, a special high-level programme will take place with the participation of senior government officials, international delegations, and leaders of the technology industry. Attendance at the events scheduled for this day will be by special invitation only.
October 2 and 3 will feature the open programme of AI & Digital Bridge 2026, available to all forum participants. Representatives of global technology companies, international speakers, startups, and investors will gather at a single venue. The programme will cover AI, Creative Industries, Talent, GameDev, a technology exhibition, Startup Alley, Astana Hub Battle, and other events. Ticket holders will have access to the entire open programme on October 2 and 3.
This year’s forum has been made possible through the support of our partners and sponsors. All organisational expenses are covered by sponsorship funding. The forum’s Gold Partners are Freedom Bank and Kaspi.kz. BI Group is the Digital Partner, while Air Astana is the Official Airline Partner.
The forum is organised by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana Hub, and the Akimat of Astana.
Why the Region’s Leading Technology Event Is Not to Be Missed
Artificial intelligence is already transforming markets, professions, and business models. However, the greatest competitive advantage belongs not to those who merely observe these changes, but to those who are the first to discover new technologies, build strategic partnerships, and identify opportunities for growth.
From October 1 to 3, Astana will become a hub for international technology dialogue. The EXPO International Exhibition Center will host AI & Digital Bridge 2026, one of the largest technology forums in the region.
Over the course of just a few days, participants will be able to explore solutions set to shape the market in the years ahead, connect with representatives of global Big Tech companies, meet investors and potential partners, showcase their products, and discover how artificial intelligence can be applied today.
In June 2026, the Government of Kazakhstan, Firebird, and NVIDIA signed a $10 billion package of agreements in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. This sent a strong signal to the international market: Kazakhstan intends to secure a prominent position on the global AI map.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 is particularly significant in the context of Kazakhstan’s national agenda, as 2026 has officially been designated the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. This highlights the forum’s strategic importance as one of the key platforms for discussing and advancing artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and technology entrepreneurship.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 will be the next milestone where the attention of the global technology community is expected to translate into concrete partnerships, investments, and new projects.
Over the years, the forum has brought together more than 127,000 participants from over 100 countries, 1,500 speakers, 600 startups, and 500 investors. In 2026, the event is expected to welcome more than 20,000 participants and over 100 technology companies.
For entrepreneurs, investors, developers, and executives, the forum offers an opportunity to become part of an environment where decisions are made, new connections are established, and international projects are launched.
Speakers Shaping the Future of Technology
The AI & Digital Bridge 2026 stage will feature leaders who are not merely discussing the future — they are building it:
• Rev Lebaredian — Vice President at NVIDIA
• Alex Mashrabov — Co-Founder of Higgsfield
• Greg Wyler — Founder and CEO of E-Space
• William Ford — Chairman and CEO of General Atlantic
• Balaji Srinivasan — Founder of Network School
• Other representatives of the global technology and investment community
Forum participants will hear firsthand where the global artificial intelligence market is heading, which technologies are attracting investment, how to build global technology products, and which skills will be in particularly high demand in the coming years.
The programme will focus on practical issues:
Kazakhstan as Eurasia’s AI Hub — AI infrastructure, smart cities, digital platforms, and the development of regional IT hubs.
The Emerging Global AI Architecture — the United States, China, MENA, Europe, and new technology hubs: who is shaping the rules, standards, and access to technology?
AI in the Real Economy — finance, banking, healthcare, and other industries: from AI agents to the practical implementation of artificial intelligence.
From Startup to Global AI Company — international accelerators, venture capital, first customers, investment, global market entry, and scaling.
Jobs of the Future and the Creative Economy — emerging digital professions and the development of GameDev, film, music, and generative content.
A single day at the forum can generate more valuable connections and ideas than months of independent research.
Astana Hub — an international technology park for IT startups and one of the key drivers of technology entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan — plays a central role in shaping the forum’s technology and startup agenda. The Astana Hub ecosystem brings together technology companies, startups, investors, and professionals while providing funding, incubation, acceleration, and international cooperation programmes.
At AI & Digital Bridge 2026, Astana Hub is responsible for a major part of the startup and entrepreneurship programme, including Startup Alley, pitch sessions, and Astana Hub Battle. These initiatives give technology teams an opportunity to present their solutions to investors, potential partners, and an international audience.
On October 1, a special high-level programme will take place with the participation of senior government officials, international delegations, and leaders of the technology industry. Attendance at the events scheduled for this day will be by special invitation only.
October 2 and 3 will feature the open programme of AI & Digital Bridge 2026, available to all forum participants. Representatives of global technology companies, international speakers, startups, and investors will gather at a single venue. The programme will cover AI, Creative Industries, Talent, GameDev, a technology exhibition, Startup Alley, Astana Hub Battle, and other events. Ticket holders will have access to the entire open programme on October 2 and 3.
This year’s forum has been made possible through the support of our partners and sponsors. All organisational expenses are covered by sponsorship funding. The forum’s Gold Partners are Freedom Bank and Kaspi.kz. BI Group is the Digital Partner, while Air Astana is the Official Airline Partner.
The forum is organised by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana Hub, and the Akimat of Astana.
Share
