The Mukhamedzhan Tynyshpayev ALT University hosted the Almaty AI Education Forum 2026, a large-scale city forum that brought together heads of kindergartens, schools, and colleges, IT community representatives, and experts in digital education.
Supported by the Almaty City Education Department and the City Scientific and Methodological Center for New Technologies in Education (GNMCNTO), the forum became a key platform for discussing the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within Kazakhstan’s educational system. The event aligned with the goals of the “Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence” designated by the Head of State, demonstrating that AI technologies are already an essential part of the modern educational landscape.
In her welcoming address, Meruert Zharmagambetova, Chair of the Board – Rector of ALT University, emphasized that AI is becoming an integral part of the learning environment. She noted that a modern university must serve not only as a place for instruction but as a hub for technological change and innovation.
Opening the plenary session, Ardak Smagulova, Acting Director of GNMCNTO, highlighted that Almaty is currently a leading hub for integrating AI into education. According to her, the city’s AI educational ecosystem already involves over 205,000 people. Recently, more than 300,000 requests were processed by AI systems, and over 83,000 digital educational resources were created.
During the forum, participants discussed practical cases of AI implementation—ranging from school library automation and digital management to robotics, data analytics, and AI assistants. Dinara Kassimova, PhD, Associate Professor and Head of the ICT Department at ALT University, spoke about the role of AI in modern education, the digital skills of the future, and the transformation of educational processes.
A highlight of the forum was the discussion of the NERO Robotics project in collaboration with the global leader UBTECH. Plans were presented to launch the domestic production of educational robots at the “Alatau” Innovative Technology Park SEZ by the end of 2026.
Throughout the event, ALT University hosted an exhibition of AI solutions and modern digital developments for the education sector. Guests also participated in campus tours of high-tech laboratories specializing in AI, robotics, and engineering. Specialized masterclasses for school and college principals were conducted by representatives from E-data, Edoox.Com, Edline, and A’LEM.
In conclusion, participants noted that Almaty is emerging as a major center for EdTech and AI education in Central Asia, with ALT University serving as a vital bridge between education, technology, and the industries of the future.
