CEO & Founder of S1lk Pay Gani Uzbekov on the Panel session GITEX AI
Almaty will become the epicenter of the global technology agenda for several days: the GITEX AI Kazakhstan 2026 forum, the largest event in the field of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in Central Asia, has opened in the city. The Atakent Exhibition Center brings together representatives of the government, international IT companies, startups, and the investment community, creating a space for discussing the future of the digital economy and launching new partnerships.
The exhibition is organized by inD, the global organizer of GITEX, and is supported by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in partnership with the Astana Hub international innovation cluster and the Almaty City Akimat.
GITEX AI Kazakhstan 2026 reflects the country’s systematic commitment to the development of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and integration into the global technology ecosystem. The forum is becoming a tool for implementing state policy aimed at creating a favorable environment for innovation, attracting investment, and strengthening international cooperation.
The event is taking place in the context of the Year of Artificial Intelligence in Kazakhstan, emphasizing the priority of AI development at the national level. Consistent development of infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and human capital forms the long-term foundation for the implementation of technologies in key economic sectors.
Against this backdrop, Kazakhstan is demonstrating rapid growth: over the past seven years, the country’s tech ecosystem has grown 18-fold, reaching $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.
Special attention is paid to the region’s infrastructure potential on the agenda. Mobile internet penetration in Central Asian countries has reached 93%, and Kazakhstan maintains its leadership in digital infrastructure development: by 2030, data center capacity could increase more than fivefold, reaching 20,000 racks. The growth of computing power for artificial intelligence is turning the country into a key destination for cross-border investment.
This interest is already being reflected in the list of participants. Global technology leaders—Cisco, Google Cloud, Huawei, Dell, Lenovo, Salesforce, and others—are represented in Almaty. They brought not concepts, but applied solutions—from infrastructure for sovereign AI to secure government digital systems.
