Kazakhstan's AI boom takes center stage at Alem.ai Battle finals
Alem.ai Battle National Finals Held at International AI Center as Part of Kazakhstan's Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence
The International Artificial Intelligence Center hosted the finals of the national Alem.ai Battle startup competition, timed to coincide with Kazakhstan's Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence.
According to Asymbek Abilgazinov, director of business programs at Astana Hub, the contest attracted 830 applications from across Kazakhstan. After a multi-stage selection process, 20 teams—five in each of four categories, from school projects to advanced research—advanced to the finals. The total prize pool amounted to 25 million tenge.
The opening ceremony featured a speech by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev, who noted that the former Nur Alem Pavilion had been transformed into a hub integrating educational programs, startup infrastructure, and research labs. The center already hosts AI schools where training is conducted without traditional instructors.
"We hope such innovation hubs will emerge not only in major cities but across all regions of the country. The younger generation must have the tools to develop cutting-edge solutions for both local and global markets," the minister emphasized.
Each finalist had three minutes to pitch their project. In the AI Young Talents category, 18-year-old Yesbol Azan, a student at Nazarbayev Intellectual School (NIS), presented Sardar—a 3D game immersing players in Kazakh culture.
"What sets Sardar apart is its AI-driven platform. Unlike most games with pre-scripted character behavior, our heroes engage in dynamic dialogue and evolve through player interaction, making every playthrough unique," Azan explained.
He added that the idea stemmed from a desire to create a game reflecting Kazakh heritage and language. The project already has a working prototype and is preparing for release on an international platform.
Another school-led initiative, Grader.ai, targets education by using AI to help users prepare for the IELTS exam. The app evaluates spoken responses, pinpoints errors, and provides tailored feedback. Developer Alemgir Baipisov noted that the service effectively replaces a personal examiner, offering flexible, on-demand preparation.
The Neuralese platform, also in the education category, teaches students and schoolchildren to build their own AI models through a visual interface.
Health-focused projects were also showcased. SuGuard, for instance, is a system for monitoring glucose levels and early diabetes risk detection. Its young creators demonstrated smart bracelets that track blood sugar non-invasively by analyzing pulse and body temperature, displaying results directly on a smartphone. Other finalists presented startups for cardiac analysis, post-stroke rehabilitation, and disease diagnostics.
In the student category of AI Driving Power, the Ustaz AI project stood out. The platform offers teachers a comprehensive solution—from generating educational materials to managing the learning process. By automating routine tasks, the system allows educators to focus on working directly with students.
During the presentations, the jury quizzed participants, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each project while offering advice on further development.
The final winners were SuGuard in the school category, Ustaz AI among students, NCSpeech in the startup track, and Robio in the scientific category. As the organizers note, the competition's true value lies not just in the prizes but in giving participants a chance to make a name for themselves, receive expert feedback, and take the next step in their growth.
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