Key Takeaways
- • GITEX AI Kazakhstan 2026 convened over 300 companies from 60 countries on 4–5 May 2026 in Almaty, establishing the region's largest AI and technology gathering with confirmed attendance exceeding 12,283 participants from 86 countries.
- • The inaugural Central Asia & Caucasus edition generated US$61M+ in economic activity, positioning Almaty as an emerging hub for AI-driven innovation and digital investment across the region.
- • The event featured the Supernova Pitch Competition as a flagship startup platform, alongside enterprise exhibitions spanning AI, cybersecurity, data centres, cloud infrastructure, quantum computing, and fintech sectors.
- • Held under the high patronage of Kazakhstan's President H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the event aligned with the nation's stated digitalisation and AI ambitions, strengthening Central Asia and the Caucasus' credentials as an emerging digital powerhouse.
- • GITEX AI Kazakhstan confirmed its return to Almaty on 7–8 June 2027, with GITEX Global scheduled for Dubai on 7–11 December 2026, signalling a multi-region strategy for tech and startup ecosystem development across emerging markets.
Summary
GITEX AI Kazakhstan 2026 established itself as the definitive technology and startup investment event for Central Asia and the Caucasus region, hosting over 300 exhibiting companies from 60 nations across two days (4–5 May) at the Atakent International Exhibition Center in Almaty. The inaugural edition attracted 12,283 attendees representing 86 countries, with confirmed participation from C-level executives, global founders, institutional capital leaders, and policy decision-makers. The event generated US$61M+ in recorded economic activity, indicating substantial deal flow and investment interest in regional innovation ecosystems.
The conference agenda spanned critical technology verticals including AI and intelligent systems, cybersecurity infrastructure, data centres, cloud computing, quantum technologies, and fintech applications. Enterprise exhibitors showcased cutting-edge innovations alongside real-world deployment applications, while the dedicated Supernova Pitch Competition provided structured access for startups to present to institutional investors and venture capital participants. The event's structure explicitly positioned itself as a platform for connecting founders, investors, and multinational technology leaders in a single venue.
Kazakhstan's strategic commitment to AI and digital transformation provided governmental and institutional backing, with the event held under the high patronage of President H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Almaty's selection as the venue reflected its emergence as a regional hub for commerce, manufacturing, enterprise operations, and technology innovation. Industry participants included global technology leaders such as Nokia, which showcased enterprise AI innovations and intelligent systems deployments.
The inaugural success prompted immediate scheduling of a return engagement: GITEX AI Kazakhstan confirmed dates of 7–8 June 2027 in Almaty. Concurrent with this regional expansion, GITEX Global is scheduled for Dubai on 7–11 December 2026, where it will reunite with the Expand North Star initiative as a consolidated mega-event. Additionally, GITEX AI Vietnam is scheduled for 26–27 November 2026 in Hanoi, demonstrating a multi-geography strategy targeting emerging technology ecosystems across Asia and Central Asia.
The conference agenda spanned critical technology verticals including AI and intelligent systems, cybersecurity infrastructure, data centres, cloud computing, quantum technologies, and fintech applications. Enterprise exhibitors showcased cutting-edge innovations alongside real-world deployment applications, while the dedicated Supernova Pitch Competition provided structured access for startups to present to institutional investors and venture capital participants. The event's structure explicitly positioned itself as a platform for connecting founders, investors, and multinational technology leaders in a single venue.
Kazakhstan's strategic commitment to AI and digital transformation provided governmental and institutional backing, with the event held under the high patronage of President H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Almaty's selection as the venue reflected its emergence as a regional hub for commerce, manufacturing, enterprise operations, and technology innovation. Industry participants included global technology leaders such as Nokia, which showcased enterprise AI innovations and intelligent systems deployments.
The inaugural success prompted immediate scheduling of a return engagement: GITEX AI Kazakhstan confirmed dates of 7–8 June 2027 in Almaty. Concurrent with this regional expansion, GITEX Global is scheduled for Dubai on 7–11 December 2026, where it will reunite with the Expand North Star initiative as a consolidated mega-event. Additionally, GITEX AI Vietnam is scheduled for 26–27 November 2026 in Hanoi, demonstrating a multi-geography strategy targeting emerging technology ecosystems across Asia and Central Asia.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.