Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, will host HackAlem AI on September 23, 2026, with OpenAI as an official partner. Organizers have announced $100,000 in cash prizes alongside $1 million worth of OpenAI technology resources for project development and awards, DKNews.kz reports.
The official HackAlem AI website lists 2,500 places, with registration closing on September 19. The event requires in-person attendance and welcomes developers, students, young professionals and technology enthusiasts from Kazakhstan and abroad.
How the $1.1 million package breaks down
The combined package covers both cash awards and access to technology. Organizers list four allocations:
- $600,000 in OpenAI API tokens for participants to build and run AI solutions during the hackathon.
- $300,000 in Codex access for developing, testing and improving projects.
- $100,000 in OpenAI API tokens for winners.
- $100,000 in cash prizes for teams with the strongest solutions.
The winners’ API allocation is included in the $1 million technology package. Adding the cash prizes brings the combined total to $1.1 million. These are shared allocations across participants and winners, rather than amounts available to each team.
Teams will work within a limited timeframe to turn ideas into functioning AI products addressing practical challenges in business, government and other sectors.
“Hosting HackAlem AI in Kazakhstan is an important step in advancing the country’s AI ecosystem. We are creating an environment where developers from Kazakhstan and other countries can gain access to cutting-edge technologies, build solutions, and scale them globally. Our goal is to make Kazakhstan a hub for talent, technology, and AI innovation,” said Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Who can apply
Participants must be 18 or older and have experience or education in software development and technology. Applicants can also demonstrate their skills through personal projects, prototypes, applications or research.
Students and young professionals are eligible if they are currently studying, or have attended full-time education within the past 12 months, in IT, programming, engineering, technology, mathematics or digital product design.
For international applicants, the travel requirement matters: participants must attend the venue in Astana on September 23, 2026. They must pay for their own travel, accommodation and other expenses during their stay.
Finalists will present their projects on September 29
The published schedule begins with the opening ceremony and hackathon on September 23. Judges and technical experts will assess submissions from September 24 to 28.
A Demo Day on September 29 will bring finalists before the jury, followed by the announcement of winners. The awards ceremony is scheduled for October 1, during the AI & Digital Bridge 2026 international technology forum.
The most promising projects may receive opportunities for further development and pilot implementation with partners. Those opportunities will depend on project selection.
“For Silkroad Innovation Hub, the technology partnership with OpenAI as part of HackAlem AI is an important step toward expanding access to global AI tools for talent from Kazakhstan and Central Eurasia. We believe that a strong ecosystem emerges when developers, startups, and technology teams have not only ideas, but also access to cutting-edge tools, expertise, and real-world challenges. HackAlem AI creates exactly this kind of environment: participants will be able to work with OpenAI technologies, develop practical AI solutions, and showcase to corporations the teams and products that could become the foundation for future pilot projects,” said Asset Abdualiyev, Founder and CEO of Silkroad Innovation Hub.
Registration closes on September 19
Alongside project development, participants will be able to meet developers, startup founders, AI enthusiasts and technology industry representatives from Kazakhstan and other countries. They will also receive branded merchandise and personalized certificates of participation.
Organizers and partners include Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, Astana Hub, Silkroad Innovation Hub, AI & Digital Bridge, Blockchain & AI Technology Center and OpenAI.
Applications can be submitted through the HackAlem AI registration page. Prospective participants should account for the mandatory attendance requirement and self-funded travel before arranging their trip.
Our earlier coverage explains OpenAI’s partnership with HackAlem AI and the event’s plans for participating teams.
