The largest technology forum in the region, GITEX AI Kazakhstan 2026, has started in Almaty, bringing together thousands of participants, investors and leading IT companies in the world to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and the digital economy.
On May 4–5, Almaty became the center of the region’s technological agenda: it hosts GITEX AI Central Asia & Caucasus 2026, a large-scale forum that is being held for the first time in Central Asia and is already claiming to be a key platform for the development of artificial intelligence, digital economy and innovation.
The event venue was the largest exhibition center Atakent, where representatives of governments, international corporations, startups and investment funds gathered. The forum is held with the support of the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as in partnership with Astana Hub and Almaty Akimat.
Scale: thousands of participants and global interest
Already on the first day, the forum confirmed its status as the region’s largest technological event:
— more than 10 thousand delegates
— over 300 companies and startups
— more than 150 speakers
— more than 100 investors from 28 countries
The total assets of investment funds represented on the site exceed $200 billion. This means that we are talking not only about discussions, but also about real opportunities for attracting capital and launching international projects.
The world’s largest technology corporations are represented at the exhibition, including Cisco, Google Cloud, Huawei, Dell, Lenovo and Salesforce. Their participation highlights the growing interest of global business in the region.
Central Asia as a new IT hub
Holding GITEX in Kazakhstan is not a one-time event, but a reflection of a long-term strategy. Over the past 7 years, the country’s technological ecosystem has grown 18 times and reached a volume of about $26 billion. Kazakhstan already occupies a leading position in the region in terms of digital infrastructure.
Thus, Almaty is gradually becoming an entry point for international companies and investors interested in the Central Asian market.
Bet on infrastructure and artificial intelligence
One of the key topics of the forum was the development of computing power. Kazakhstan is betting on the infrastructure needed for AI development:
— by 2030, data centers are expected to grow more than 5 times;
— the number of server racks can reach 20 thousand.
This will allow not only to develop local technologies, but also to attract cross-border projects, including data processing and cloud services.
Special attention is paid to the creation of regional AI hubs and the development of sovereign technologies – an area that is becoming increasingly relevant in the context of global competition.
Speakers: from fintech to global markets
The forum brought together experts shaping the future economy of the region. Notable participants include:
Kai-Fu Lee is one of the most influential experts in the world of AI, former head of Google China, CEO of Sinovation Ventures, Lambert Hogenhout – Director of Data and AI at the UN, Thomas Pramotedham – CEO of Presight (AI company from the UAE, associated with G42), Ebtesam Al Mazroui – one of the architects of sovereign AI in the UAE, Charles-Edouard Boué – global investor in AI, co-founder of Alpha Intelligence Capital.
Among the technological and industrial leaders: Anton Joraev – regional director of NVIDIA (CIS), Dias Asanov – CEO of Siemens in Central Asia, etc.
Tajikistan is represented at GITEX AI by Abdullo Kurbanov, head of Alif Bank, who is developing Islamic fintech and bringing the company to the markets of Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Pakistan.
The program also involves representatives of international technology companies, venture funds and government agencies. Not only technologies are discussed, but also business scaling models, startups entering global markets and the transformation of economies through digitalization.
Startups and Investments: Focus on Growth
A separate block of the forum is dedicated to the startup ecosystem. More than 100 projects from the region were presented to investors, including residents of Astana Hub and IT Park Uzbekistan.
Startups demonstrate solutions in the field of artificial intelligence, fintech, cybersecurity and industry 4.0, focusing not only on local markets, but also on global expansion.
The forum becomes a platform where ideas can quickly transform into investment deals and international partnerships.
What does this mean for the region?
Hosting GITEX AI Kazakhstan 2026 secures Kazakhstan’s status as a technology center in Central Asia and strengthens the region’s position on the global innovation map.
The forum creates:
— a platform for international dialogue;
— new investment opportunities;
— conditions for scaling startups;
— integration of the region into the global digital economy.
Central Asia is gradually moving from the role of a consumer of technologies to the role of their developer and exporter. And GITEX in Almaty is one of the clearest signals that this process has already begun.
