Kazakhstan hosts AI Olympiad with students from 106 countries
Kazakhstan is currently hosting the III International Artificial Intelligence Olympiad in Astana, an event inaugurated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The competition has drawn over 500 students from 106 nations, who are vying to create AI models and program autonomous robots.
Scheduled from August 2 to 8 in the Kazakh capital, the Olympiad seeks to foster global collaboration among emerging artificial intelligence researchers.
During the opening ceremony, President Tokayev emphasized Kazakhstan's strategic commitment to digital advancement, highlighting the nation's efforts to construct a cohesive innovation ecosystem where AI will underpin state, economic, and business management. He pointed out Kazakhstan's 24th position out of 193 countries in the United Nations E-Government Development Index, noting its leadership in Central Asia for readiness to embrace new technologies.
Tokayev reiterated his earlier objective of transforming Kazakhstan into a fully digital state within three years. He further explained that designating 2026 as the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence is intended to bolster this goal. "Artificial intelligence serves as an important tool for managing the state, the economy, and business, permeating all spheres of public life," Tokayev affirmed.
The president also underscored Kazakhstan's dedication to promoting high-quality education and nurturing gifted students. He mentioned that Kazakh schoolchildren secured three gold, one silver, and three bronze medals at last year's Artificial Intelligence Olympiad in Beijing.
Tokayev stated that this accomplishment showcases the intellectual and creative capabilities of Kazakhstan's youth, and he extended gratitude to the teachers and mentors who support young talent.
Expressing his optimism, Tokayev believes the competition will fortify the international network of young AI researchers and stimulate novel solutions in fields such as healthcare, education, and environmental conservation. "Perhaps, right here, at this Olympiad, new ideas and projects will emerge that will change the world for the better," he remarked.
During the event, President Tokayev received a briefing on the competition's structure, including its tasks and a demonstration of an autonomous robot's operation. Participants are engaged in developing artificial intelligence models and programming autonomous robots.