From NVIDIA to Kraken: Global IT Leaders Convene in Astana for AI & Digital Bridge 2026

Astana — From October 1 to 3, Kazakhstan’s capital will host the biggest technological event of the autumn: the international AI & Digital Bridge 2026 forum. Serving as the centerpiece of the nation’s “AI Month,” the massive event will bring together over 150 speakers from around the globe to debate the future of artificial intelligence, Tiek.kz reports.

A Star-Studded Lineup: Shaping the AI Economy

This year, the forum’s scale is defined not just by the number of attendees, but by the colossal influence of its guest speakers. The stage will unite representatives from sectors currently driving fierce global competition—from raw computing power to advanced cybersecurity.

The highly anticipated roster of headliners includes:

• Rev Lebaredian: Vice President of Omniverse and Simulation Technology at NVIDIA.

• David Ripley: CEO of Kraken, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges.

• Sebastian Kurz: Former Chancellor of Austria and co-founder of Dream (an AI and cybersecurity firm).

• Kai-Fu Lee: Former head of Google China, founder, and CEO of 01.AI.

• Jon Huntsman: President of Strategic Growth at Mastercard, former U.S. Ambassador to China and Russia.

• Balaji Srinivasan: Former CTO of Coinbase, renowned tech investor, and founder of The Network School.

• Greg Wyler: Founder of E-Space, pioneering the next generation of satellite communications.

The Kazakhstan Mark: Building a Domestic Tech Ecosystem

The domestic tech sphere will also be represented at the absolute highest level. A shining example of global success taking the stage is Yerzat Dulat, co-founder and CTO of Higgsfield AI—a company that recently secured $400 million in investments at a staggering $5.4 billion valuation.

The public sector and major domestic businesses will be represented by Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development; Bagdat Mussin, head of Kazakhtelecom; and Timur Turlov, founder and CEO of Freedom Holding Corp.

Today, Kazakhstan’s primary objective is transitioning from merely adopting foreign technologies to building a robust domestic foundation where global AI products can be incubated and scaled.

Program and Event Format

The forum will traditionally operate in a hybrid format, neatly dividing exclusive business sessions from public events:

• October 1: A closed, invite-only special program featuring the Head of State, international diplomatic delegations, and top-tier tech industry leaders.

• October 2–3: The forum opens its doors to the general public and ticket holders.

During the open days, attendees can look forward to dynamic panel discussions on venture investments and tech talent development. The venue will also feature a massive tech exhibition, the Startup Alley, dedicated zones for Creative Industries and GameDev, and the legendary Astana Hub Battle for emerging startups.