Held annually, Digital Bridge brings together leaders of the global IT industry, technology innovators, investors, government representatives, venture capital funds, and startup ecosystem stakeholders to discuss key trends in digital transformation, AI development, and regional technological cooperation.

Since its launch, Digital Bridge has established itself as a flagship technology event for the Eurasian region. Over the years, it has brought together more than 67,000 participants from over 100 countries, featured more than 1,000 speakers, and welcomed over 550 representatives from government bodies and international organizations. More than 500 startups have presented their projects at the forum, while approximately 500 investors and business angels have taken part in the business program.

The forum’s strategic objective is to position Kazakhstan as a technological hub connecting Europe and Asia, and to support the development of a sustainable digital ecosystem capable of exporting innovation and creating globally competitive tech products.

The central theme of Digital Bridge 2025 is Generative Nation — a strategic vision focused on building a knowledge-based society driven by advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, and the development of human capital. This concept reflects Kazakhstan’s shift from consuming technologies to creating and scaling them on international markets.

Key events of the forum will include keynote speeches by global leaders in the AI industry, the grand opening of the alem.ai International Center for Artificial Intelligence, the finals of the Generative Nation Pitch competition, the highly anticipated Astana Hub Battle startup showdown, the Startup Alley exhibition of cutting-edge tech solutions, the Digital Bridge Awards ceremony recognizing excellence in digital technology, as well as interactive zones, thematic panel discussions, and deep tech dialogues.

In the lead-up to the forum, AI WEEK will be held in Astana from September 29 to October 4. This thematic week will integrate educational, scientific, investment, and policy-related events in the field of artificial intelligence. It will bring together university communities, research centers, venture funds, startups, international organizations, and government agencies. The program will feature masterclasses from leading global and Kazakhstani experts in AI and Data Science, open university lectures, deep tech sessions, workshops, AI meetups, the semifinal of the Generative Nation Pitch for school students, university students, and young researchers, as well as a cultural program. The goal of AI Week is to engage youth, startups, and the research community in the practical development of technologies in Kazakhstan, fostering an open environment for experience exchange and shaping a new generation of AI leaders.

The Generative Nation Pitch is an open competition held in four categories: school students, university students, MVP-stage startups, and scientific teams. Project evaluations will be conducted in three stages based on criteria such as AI application, originality, scalability potential, team competence, clarity and coherence of presentation, and ethical considerations.

A major highlight of the forum, the Astana Hub Battle will once again serve as a key platform for innovation. More than 100 startups from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and other countries will present their projects to an international jury, venture capitalists, technology corporations, and the media. The semifinal will take place on October 3, and the final round, featuring the top 10 startups, will be held on the main stage on October 4.

The Digital Bridge Awards 2025 ceremony will honor significant contributions to the IT sector in Kazakhstan and beyond. This year’s awards will be presented across eight categories: Export Excellence, Tech Leadership Laureate, AI Solution of the Year, EdTech of the Year, GovTech Innovation, Tech Media Excellence, Social Impact Project, and Breakthrough Startup. The selection process includes four stages: online application, a supplemental questionnaire, AI-based automated analysis, and final evaluation by an expert jury.

The Startup Alley will showcase Kazakhstani and international startups offering innovative solutions in areas such as fintech, EdTech, GovTech, Big Data, AR/VR, sustainable development, green technologies, and cybersecurity. A dedicated exhibition zone will highlight the achievements of leading IT companies, allowing forum participants to explore the latest digital products, services, technological solutions, and prototypes that reflect current trends in AI, cloud computing, software development, fintech, GovTech, and other sectors.

Over the course of three days, Digital Bridge 2025 will feature dozens of panel discussions, demonstrations, networking events, pitch sessions, and workshops, creating a unique platform for dialogue between government representatives, the tech business community, academia, and youth initiatives.

Digital Bridge 2025 is not just a forum — it is a catalyst for digital transformation, a strategic platform for strengthening international partnerships, developing an innovative ecosystem, and shaping Kazakhstan’s new digital identity. The country is sending a clear message: digitalization is not a short-term trend, but a national priority and a vital part of a sustainable future.

Further information is available on the website of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan.