AI & Digital Bridge 2026 will take place at Astana’s EXPO international exhibition centre from 1 to 3 October. Although the forum spans three days, general visitors should plan for 2 and 3 October. The first day is for government representatives, international delegations and the technology industry, and is invitation-only.
Organisers expect more than 20,000 participants and over 100 technology companies. The programme covers artificial intelligence, robotics, venture investment, crypto markets, satellite communications, startups, GameDev and digital creative industries. We examine what makes the forum worth attending and for whom a ticket could pay off.
Speakers Worth Watching
One of the main guests will be Balaji Srinivasan, founder of Network School, former Coinbase CTO and an investor known for ideas about how technology changes states, cities and communities.
Rev Lebaredian, NVIDIA’s vice-president for Omniverse and simulation technology, will represent AI and robotics. His participation is particularly interesting for practical topics: digital twins, modelling physical objects and training robots in virtual environments.
Higgsfield AI co-founder and CTO Yerzat Dulat will represent Kazakhstan’s AI industry. He is likely to be one of the most relevant speakers for local developers and entrepreneurs, offering the experience of a team already operating internationally rather than discussing how Kazakhstan might one day build a global technology company.
The investment programme includes William Ford, head of General Atlantic, one of the largest international investment firms. For startup founders and funds, his talk may prove more useful than general innovation panels: General Atlantic works with growth-stage companies and understands which projects can attract major capital.
Digital finance is another strand. Kraken co-CEO David Ripley and Solana Foundation president Lily Liu will visit Astana. With Kazakhstan’s crypto and digital-asset markets continuing to develop, their talks are relevant to banks, fintech companies and regulators as well as crypto enthusiasts.
The guest list also includes E-Space founder Greg Wyler, previously involved in building O3b Networks and OneWeb. His field is low-Earth-orbit satellite networks and secure communications. The full confirmed participant list is on the forum’s official website.
The Startup Battle Could Be More Useful Than Some Panels
Astana Hub Battle will be one of the most practical events. Applications have closed, but forum visitors can watch the teams pitch.
The semi-final takes place on 2 October, with 50 startups receiving one minute each. The following day, 14 finalists will deliver three-minute pitches on the main stage.
The prize pool is $100,000: four $25,000 grants without giving up equity. Categories cover socially significant projects, new technology products, fast-growing companies and investors’ choice.
The battle is worth following for two reasons. Its short format quickly reveals products emerging in Kazakhstan and neighbouring countries. Investors and corporate representatives will also be present, making teams that secure pilots or funding after the forum interesting alongside the winners. Full procedures are on the Astana Hub Battle page.
Beyond the Main Stage
The main stage usually gets the most attention, but much of Digital Bridge’s practical value lies in its exhibition and meeting areas.
More than 100 companies are listed for the technology exhibition, presenting AI, robotics and digitalisation solutions. Startup Alley will feature MedTech, FinTech, EdTech, GovTech, Big Data and cybersecurity projects.
Organisers also promise a robotics and AI area with interactive demonstrations, robot competitions, drone racing and drone football. For families and students, this may be more accessible and engaging than hours of stage discussions.
Digital creative industries form another strand: game-studio presentations, demonstrations of Kazakhstani games, 3D-modelling and animation workshops, and an AI-art exhibition.
AI & Digital Bridge Awards winners will also be announced. Seven categories are planned for 2026: GovTech, EdTech, Startup of the Year, corporate AI transformation, international breakthrough, venture fund and creative-industry project. Organisers publish nominees and award rules separately.
Who Should Attend
Startup Founders
Digital Bridge makes sense if a project already has a product, customers or at least a working prototype. The main opportunity is the concentration of investors, corporations and potential partners, rather than lectures.
Wandering between stands hoping to meet someone is inefficient. Prepare a list of funds and companies, a short presentation, a demo link and a specific proposal: investment, a pilot, integration or market entry.
Company Leaders and Product Teams
The forum can help people seeking ready-made AI solutions for business, automation, analytics, customer service or industry. In one day, they can compare suppliers and see products normally researched separately.
Arrive with a specific problem. “We want to implement AI” will probably yield attractive presentations. Defining a process to accelerate, reduce in cost or automate is more useful.
Developers and AI Specialists
NVIDIA and Higgsfield AI speakers, robotics demonstrations and workshops are likely to be most relevant to technical audiences. The forum also offers access to teams hiring specialists or seeking technical partners.
Digital Bridge does not replace a specialist engineering conference. Anyone seeking deep analysis of model architecture, code and infrastructure may find the programme too broad and business-oriented.
Investors
The main attractions are Astana Hub Battle, Startup Alley and meetings with founders. Two days can provide a concentrated view of technology projects in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
The forum may particularly help foreign funds unfamiliar with the region compile an initial list of teams, partners and local players.
Students and Early-Career Specialists
Attend to meet companies, startups and potential employers. The exhibition, robotics, GameDev and open talks offer an overview of fields developing in the country.
Digital Bridge is not presented as a full careers fair, so a ticket should not be expected to produce an internship or job automatically. Prepare a short CV, portfolio and QR code linking to your projects.
Journalists and Technology Content Creators
International entrepreneurs, investors, major-company representatives and Kazakhstani officials will be together in one place. It is an opportunity for comments, interviews and seeing products before they enter mass press releases.
Media accreditation registration has already closed. Organisers suggest a general ticket for journalists who missed the application window.
Who Can Skip the Forum
Digital Bridge may disappoint someone who simply wants a few inspiring talks. Much of that material will later be covered by the media, and some broadcasts will be available through the forum app.
Do not expect comprehensive AI training either. Workshops are planned, but this remains a major business forum rather than an intensive technical course.
A ticket also delivers little without willingness to meet and talk. At large events, pre-arranged meetings and specific questions create value, rather than the number of stands visited.
Ticket Prices
At the original article’s publication, Standard tickets cost KZT 9,990 for one day and KZT 19,980 for two. General admission for 2–3 October is KZT 49,990, VIP KZT 499,990 and Executive KZT 1.99 million.
One less obvious detail: the official website lists almost identical basic benefits for Standard and General, including the exhibition, business programme, workshops, discussions and broadcasts. Before buying General, clarify what the extra payment covers.
Tickets can be refunded through 24 September inclusive. After purchase, visitors receive an activation code to enter in the Astana Hub app, where their admission QR code appears. The forum will operate in Kazakh, Russian and English.
Check current prices and conditions immediately before payment on the official AI & Digital Bridge 2026 website.
Getting the Most From Digital Bridge
Choose one main goal beforehand: finding an investor, meeting customers, selecting a technology solution, filming interviews or finding work. Trying to cover every stage and exhibition area usually ends in exhaustion and a bag of brochures.
A good plan is to arrange several meetings, choose three to five essential talks and leave time for Startup Alley and the exhibition. Founders need a short pitch and demo, specialists a portfolio, and journalists a list of interviewees and questions.
Treat Digital Bridge as a concentrated gathering of the technology market. With a specific objective, it can produce contacts, ideas and deals. Attending purely for scale and famous names will provide plenty of impressions but much less practical value.
