Astana to host first international AI olympiad

Astana will host the first International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence in August 2026, the head of the Kazakhstan Sports Programming Federation, Bagdat Mussin, announced, Caliber.Az reports, citing Kazakh media.

Musin said that the agreement to hold the event has been signed, and the Kazakh capital will welcome some of the world’s top young intellectuals.

He noted that the event reflects the readiness of Kazakhstan’s youth to compete internationally and the global demand for their knowledge in leading technology companies.

He recalled that Kazakhstan hosted the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) finals in 2024, and in 2025, the national team placed fourth in the world in China.

Musin emphasised that hosting the Olympiad will give the country direct access to the global talent market, create new partnerships and investments, and strengthen Kazakhstan’s image as a regional technology hub. The event is seen as a natural continuation of the “Year of Artificial Intelligence” initiative announced by the president.

By Khagan Isayev