At the international AI & Digital Bridge 2026 forum, official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS adjudicator Glenn Pollard presented Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with a certificate confirming HackAlem AI’s world record for the largest number of participants in an AI hackathon.
The presentation took place during the panel session The New Economy: Powered by AI, which focused on infrastructure, investment, human capital, and international partnerships to advance the AI economy.
“Achieving this record is no small feat. In my 14 years as an official Guinness World Records adjudicator, I have witnessed many records, both large and small. I saw firsthand how much work went into making this AI hackathon a reality, and the high level of planning, preparation, and organisation behind it. This achievement, alongside Kazakhstan’s progress in education, technology, and innovation, demonstrates that the country is making its presence felt on the global technology stage,” said Glenn Pollard.
HackAlem AI set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the largest number of participants in an AI hackathon.
HackAlem AI surpassed the previous world record, set on December 21, 2025, in Hyderabad, India. That hackathon, organised by Google for Developers and Google Developer Groups Hyderabad, brought together 2,089 participants.
“Setting a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title is an achievement for Kazakhstan’s entire technology community and a testament to our country’s strong potential. HackAlem AI brought together thousands of talented developers, students, and young professionals who used advanced technologies to address real challenges facing the economy. It is important to us that the projects created here continue to develop, from ideas and prototypes to pilots and implementation. This achievement demonstrates that Kazakhstan can both participate in and shape the global technology agenda. HackAlem AI took place as part of AI Month, held within the Year of Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence declared by the Head of State,” said Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Participants developed projects across ten tracks: energy, finance, governance, telecommunications, logistics, creative industries, education, innovation, communications, and trade.
The world record attempt was conducted in accordance with GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS requirements. Participants completed registration and identity verification, their entries and exits were tracked by scanning their personal badges, and stewards monitored compliance with the rules in each sector. The final count included only participants who met the specified requirements and actively worked on projects during the hackathon.
“For us, this record reflects the scale of HackAlem AI and confirms that a strong technology community and a new generation of talent have emerged in Kazakhstan and the region. We strive to create opportunities for them and provide access to global technologies, knowledge, and partnerships so that their ideas can become competitive products and reach international markets. HackAlem AI became a highlight of the Year of Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence declared by the Head of State,” said Magzhan Madiyev, CEO of Astana Hub.
HackAlem AI opened AI Month, a series of events dedicated to artificial intelligence, digital technologies, cybersecurity, and the development of technology skills. Supported by Astana Hub, the series takes place in the lead-up to AI & Digital Bridge 2026 and as part of Kazakhstan’s Year of Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence.
The organisers and partners of HackAlem AI included the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Astana City Administration, the Astana Hub International Innovation Cluster, Silkroad Innovation Hub, Blockchain & AI Technology Center (BAITC), AI & Digital Bridge, OpenAI, NVIDIA, Arizona State University, Palo Alto Networks, MSSP.GLOBAL, and Romanovsky Product.
HackAlem AI was sponsored by Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund JSC, Freedom Holding Corp., Kaspi.kz JSC, Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan JSC (Halyk Bank), Kazakhtelecom JSC, Transtelecom JSC, Beeline Kazakhstan, and Firebird Inc.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 took place as part of Kazakhstan’s Year of Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence and served as the flagship international event of AI MONTH, a month-long series bringing together initiatives in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, entrepreneurship, and human capital development.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 was organised by the Astana Hub International Innovation Cluster in partnership with the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Astana City Administration.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 was funded through sponsorship contributions with the support of the forum’s partners.
Gold Partners: Freedom Bank, Kaspi Bank, Samruk-Kazyna JSC, Kazakhtelecom JSC.
Silver Partner: Halyk Bank.
Business Partner: Beeline Kazakhstan.
Bronze Partner: Yandex Qazaqstan.
Telecom Partner: Freedom Telecom Operations.
Technology Partner: Transtelecom JSC.
Official Airline Partner: Air Astana.
At the international AI & Digital Bridge 2026 forum, official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS adjudicator Glenn Pollard presented Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with a certificate confirming HackAlem AI’s world record for the largest number of participants in an AI hackathon.
The presentation took place during the panel session The New Economy: Powered by AI, which focused on infrastructure, investment, human capital, and international partnerships to advance the AI economy.
“Achieving this record is no small feat. In my 14 years as an official Guinness World Records adjudicator, I have witnessed many records, both large and small. I saw firsthand how much work went into making this AI hackathon a reality, and the high level of planning, preparation, and organisation behind it. This achievement, alongside Kazakhstan’s progress in education, technology, and innovation, demonstrates that the country is making its presence felt on the global technology stage,” said Glenn Pollard.
HackAlem AI set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the largest number of participants in an AI hackathon.
HackAlem AI surpassed the previous world record, set on December 21, 2025, in Hyderabad, India. That hackathon, organised by Google for Developers and Google Developer Groups Hyderabad, brought together 2,089 participants.
“Setting a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title is an achievement for Kazakhstan’s entire technology community and a testament to our country’s strong potential. HackAlem AI brought together thousands of talented developers, students, and young professionals who used advanced technologies to address real challenges facing the economy. It is important to us that the projects created here continue to develop, from ideas and prototypes to pilots and implementation. This achievement demonstrates that Kazakhstan can both participate in and shape the global technology agenda. HackAlem AI took place as part of AI Month, held within the Year of Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence declared by the Head of State,” said Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Participants developed projects across ten tracks: energy, finance, governance, telecommunications, logistics, creative industries, education, innovation, communications, and trade.
The world record attempt was conducted in accordance with GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS requirements. Participants completed registration and identity verification, their entries and exits were tracked by scanning their personal badges, and stewards monitored compliance with the rules in each sector. The final count included only participants who met the specified requirements and actively worked on projects during the hackathon.
“For us, this record reflects the scale of HackAlem AI and confirms that a strong technology community and a new generation of talent have emerged in Kazakhstan and the region. We strive to create opportunities for them and provide access to global technologies, knowledge, and partnerships so that their ideas can become competitive products and reach international markets. HackAlem AI became a highlight of the Year of Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence declared by the Head of State,” said Magzhan Madiyev, CEO of Astana Hub.
HackAlem AI opened AI Month, a series of events dedicated to artificial intelligence, digital technologies, cybersecurity, and the development of technology skills. Supported by Astana Hub, the series takes place in the lead-up to AI & Digital Bridge 2026 and as part of Kazakhstan’s Year of Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence.
The organisers and partners of HackAlem AI included the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Astana City Administration, the Astana Hub International Innovation Cluster, Silkroad Innovation Hub, Blockchain & AI Technology Center (BAITC), AI & Digital Bridge, OpenAI, NVIDIA, Arizona State University, Palo Alto Networks, MSSP.GLOBAL, and Romanovsky Product.
HackAlem AI was sponsored by Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund JSC, Freedom Holding Corp., Kaspi.kz JSC, Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan JSC (Halyk Bank), Kazakhtelecom JSC, Transtelecom JSC, Beeline Kazakhstan, and Firebird Inc.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 took place as part of Kazakhstan’s Year of Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence and served as the flagship international event of AI MONTH, a month-long series bringing together initiatives in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, entrepreneurship, and human capital development.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 was organised by the Astana Hub International Innovation Cluster in partnership with the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Astana City Administration.
AI & Digital Bridge 2026 was funded through sponsorship contributions with the support of the forum’s partners.
Gold Partners: Freedom Bank, Kaspi Bank, Samruk-Kazyna JSC, Kazakhtelecom JSC.
Silver Partner: Halyk Bank.
Business Partner: Beeline Kazakhstan.
Bronze Partner: Yandex Qazaqstan.
Telecom Partner: Freedom Telecom Operations.
Technology Partner: Transtelecom JSC.
Official Airline Partner: Air Astana.
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