NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang visited Kazakhstan's alem.ai International Artificial Intelligence Center for the first time on October 23, 2026. During his visit to Astana, Huang was introduced to the country's ambitious strategy to become a global hub for Physical AI, combining advanced computing infrastructure, industrial capabilities and technology talent. The visit followed an official announcement by Kazakhstan's Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development outlining Huang's participation in AI Month and discussions on the country's technological future, DKNews.kz reports.
The visit brought together government officials, technology entrepreneurs, researchers and students. It also showcased Kazakhstan's growing AI ecosystem, from supercomputing infrastructure and digital government services to robotics, autonomous systems and generative video technologies.
For Kazakhstan, the central ambition is to move beyond using imported AI technologies and develop the capacity to create, test and commercialize advanced systems domestically.
Jensen Huang: AI will transform Kazakhstan's society
During his visit, Huang highlighted Kazakhstan's commitment to making artificial intelligence a national development priority.
“Kazakhstan is the first country I've visited where the President declared AI development a national priority. Artificial intelligence will help your country rise to a new level, expand people's opportunities, and enable companies to compete and scale in the global market. Artificial intelligence will transform your society,” noted Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA.
His remarks came as Kazakhstan presented a strategy built around three interconnected priorities: a supportive institutional environment, modern technological infrastructure and the development of skilled professionals.
The approach reflects the growing importance of AI not only as a software industry but also as a foundation for industrial modernization, scientific research and economic competitiveness.
Physical AI: Kazakhstan wants to become a global technology hub
A major focus of Huang's visit was Physical AI, a field that combines artificial intelligence with robotics, autonomous machines and systems capable of interacting with the physical world.
Unlike conventional AI applications that primarily process information or generate digital content, Physical AI technologies can support real-world operations, including robotic movement, industrial inspections, autonomous transportation and infrastructure management.
Kazakhstan believes its industrial base, energy resources and expanding pool of technology specialists could provide an environment for developing and testing these systems.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev outlined the government's ambitions.
“Today, artificial intelligence is transforming not only technology but also the balance of power in the global economy. Kazakhstan intends to take its place among the countries shaping the future of this industry. Our advantage lies in the combination of energy resources, a well-developed industrial sector, and a growing pool of talented engineers and developers. Together with technology leaders such as NVIDIA, we see an opportunity to transform Kazakhstan into a global hub for Physical AI, where intelligent systems and robotics can be developed, tested, and deployed in real industrial environments. Our ambition is not merely to develop AI infrastructure, but to create technologies and companies capable of competing globally,” said Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The strategy is intended to connect computing resources with practical applications, enabling local developers to work on technologies that can eventually enter international markets.
Ekibastuz Data Center Valley targets 1 GW of capacity
One of the largest infrastructure projects presented to Huang was Data Center Valley, a planned high-performance computing cluster in Ekibastuz.
The project envisages phased development with a total potential power capacity of up to 1 gigawatt.
According to the presentation, the initial phase has a capacity of 215 megawatts, which is already fully reserved.
The project is designed to attract major international investment and create facilities capable of supporting advanced AI workloads, including the training and deployment of large-scale models.
Potential participants include global technology companies and infrastructure partners associated with NVIDIA and Firebird AI.
For Kazakhstan, Ekibastuz offers an opportunity to connect its energy resources with demand for computing power. However, building a large-scale AI data center ecosystem will also require reliable electricity supplies, cooling infrastructure, high-speed connectivity and sustained investment.
The planned 1 GW represents a long-term development target, not existing operational capacity.
Alem.Cloud demonstrates Kazakhstan's computing capabilities
Huang was also introduced to the technology supporting Kazakhstan's AI-powered public services.
At the Self-Service Center, visitors can access government, business and other services through an intelligent assistant called alem.gpt.
The system enables users to interact with digital services through natural language, reducing the need to navigate complex menus or separate service platforms.
Alem.gpt operates on AI models running on Alem.Cloud GPU clusters equipped with NVIDIA H200 processors.
The demonstration also included eGov Mobile features, such as digital documents and eGov QR, as well as a digital mortgage application illustrating the integration of government and banking systems.
The presentation highlighted how AI infrastructure could support practical services used by citizens and businesses.
From early NVIDIA graphics cards to AI-generated cinema
Huang's visit also included a tour of the Museum of Singularity at alem.ai.
The museum explores the history of artificial intelligence, from early theoretical concepts to modern neural networks and generative AI.
One of the visit's most memorable moments involved a piece of NVIDIA history.
Huang signed a 1998 NVIDIA RIVA TNT graphics card, an early product from the company's development of graphics processing technology.
The signed card will become part of the museum's permanent collection.
He also visited AI Cinema, presented as the world's first cinema dedicated to screening AI-generated content.
The two exhibits illustrated the technological transition from graphics hardware to AI systems capable of generating images, video and other forms of digital content.
Five Kazakhstani startups showcase their technologies
Another important part of the visit was a presentation of local technology companies developing products in robotics, industrial automation, AI infrastructure and digital services.
Five startups demonstrated their work:
- ARC Aero: develops aircraft and hardware-software systems for autonomous flight control and real-time operational coordination.
- QazTWIN: creates intelligent digital twins for industry, construction and urban infrastructure, incorporating robotic crawlers developed by Astana Dynamics for inspecting hazardous and hard-to-reach environments.
- DeepInfra: provides cloud infrastructure for running large language models, generative image and audio systems, and multimodal AI applications.
- MiraiTech: develops intelligent wearable devices and AI-powered biomechanics analysis tools, including technology designed to monitor and improve athletic performance.
- Blockchair: develops blockchain analytics services for searching, monitoring and analyzing transactions across public blockchain networks.
The presentations demonstrated the range of technologies being developed by companies connected to Kazakhstan's innovation ecosystem.
They also illustrated how AI applications can extend beyond chatbots and digital assistants into aviation, engineering, manufacturing and physical infrastructure.
Astana Hub presents Startup City to NVIDIA founder
Astana Hub CEO Magzhan Madiyev introduced Huang to Startup City, a digital startup environment designed around peer-to-peer interaction and gamification.
The platform connects regional technology hubs, educational programmes, laboratories, venture capital opportunities and international innovation networks.
Its concept allows entrepreneurs to progress from an initial business idea towards developing products and entering global markets.
Participants can earn virtual coins through an interactive gaming experience and use them within the ecosystem. Digital twins also represent Astana Hub's physical infrastructure.
Magzhan Madiyev emphasized the importance of connecting Kazakhstani technology companies with international partners.
“Jensen Huang's visit to alem.ai is an opportunity to unlock new prospects for Kazakhstani technology companies. This is particularly relevant to Physical AI — technologies that combine artificial intelligence with robotics, industry, and infrastructure. Kazakhstani startups are already developing solutions in robotics, autonomous control, and intelligent systems. That is why we are working to create an environment where these teams can access infrastructure, expertise, and international partners to advance their technologies and bring them to global markets,” said Magzhan Madiyev, CEO of Astana Hub.
Higgsfield brings Kazakhstan's generative video ambitions to NVIDIA
During the visit, Huang met the founders of Higgsfield, described as Kazakhstan's first unicorn and a technology partner of NVIDIA in generative video.
The company reported an audience of 40 million unique users, highlighting the international reach of its products.
Higgsfield uses NVIDIA computing technologies to train its proprietary Soul models and develop Supercomputer 2.0, an agent-based product.
The discussions focused on the future of generative video and the development of Kazakhstan's technology ecosystem.
The company's experience illustrates how AI businesses originating from Kazakhstan can develop products intended for international audiences.
Freedom unveils digital twins of Almaty and Astana
Another major presentation came from Freedom, which introduced its City-Scale Physical AI initiative.
The project aims to develop digital twins of Kazakhstan's two largest urban centres, Almaty and Astana, for training and testing autonomous robotic systems.
Digital twins are virtual representations of real environments that can be used to simulate conditions and test technologies before their deployment.
Freedom plans to build the project using NVIDIA Physical AI technologies.
The initiative is intended to accelerate the development of autonomous systems by allowing developers to test robotic behaviour in simulated urban environments.
Potential applications include mobility, infrastructure management and autonomous operations, although specific commercial deployments and implementation timelines were not announced.
AI-Driven Government showcases new public-sector applications
Huang was also introduced to Kazakhstan's AI-Driven Government initiative, which focuses on integrating artificial intelligence into public administration.
The demonstration included an analytics platform covering several sectors:
- Energy and infrastructure management.
- Space-related data and analytics.
- Financial and economic modelling.
- Smart city systems.
- Macroeconomic forecasting and risk assessment.
The initiative aims to improve the use of data in government decision-making.
Such systems could support faster analysis of complex information, but their effectiveness will depend on data quality, institutional oversight and how AI-generated recommendations are used by public officials.
Jensen Huang meets Kazakhstan's next generation of AI specialists
Education and talent development formed another major part of the programme.
Huang met students from TUMO Astana, a creative technology centre offering free education in programming and digital disciplines.
The centre combines self-directed learning, practical workshops and project laboratories supported by industry experts.
He also met winners of HackAlem AI, an international hackathon organized with support from NVIDIA and OpenAI.
The event received a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most participants in an AI hackathon.
Huang joined the winners for a commemorative photograph, recognizing their participation in the international technology competition.
The programme continued with a visit to Tomorrow School, a free educational institution focused on programming and artificial intelligence.
The school uses practice-oriented learning, allowing students to build skills through real projects rather than relying exclusively on traditional classroom instruction.
Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek also attended the meeting.
Huang learned about Qazaq AI Research University, or QAIRU, and its initiatives to train specialists for Kazakhstan's expanding artificial intelligence industry.
The education-focused meetings highlighted a fundamental requirement for Kazakhstan's AI ambitions: advanced computing infrastructure must be matched by a workforce capable of developing and operating complex technologies.
Kazakhstan and NVIDIA to discuss sovereign AI and the global economy
A key event in the visit's programme is an exclusive fireside chat between Jensen Huang and Zhaslan Madiyev.
The discussion is expected to address the future of artificial intelligence, Kazakhstan's position in the global technology economy and the development of sovereign AI capabilities.
Other planned topics include energy resources, computing infrastructure, industrial transformation, robotics and the changing requirements of the labour market.
The speakers are also expected to discuss education, professional training and the development of technology companies capable of competing internationally.
The planned discussion reflects Kazakhstan's ambition to combine national infrastructure development with participation in global AI supply chains and innovation networks.
AI Month concludes with NVIDIA's first visit to alem.ai
Huang's visit marks the conclusion of AI Month, a series of technology events supported by Astana Hub, with NVIDIA serving as general partner.
The programme began on September 23 with HackAlem AI and continued with events dedicated to artificial intelligence, startups, digital infrastructure and international technology cooperation.
The final visit brought these themes together by connecting global technology leadership with Kazakhstan's domestic projects and development plans.
For Kazakhstan, the next challenge is translating presentations and strategic ambitions into operating infrastructure, commercially viable technologies and sustainable international partnerships.
Projects such as Data Center Valley, City-Scale Physical AI and the country's growing AI startup ecosystem indicate the directions Kazakhstan intends to pursue. Their long-term economic significance will depend on investment, implementation and demand for the resulting technologies.
Earlier, we reported on NVIDIA's plans to expand cooperation on Kazakhstan's artificial intelligence infrastructure, including the development of Data Center Valley in Ekibastuz and the country's existing NVIDIA-powered supercomputing clusters. Jensen Huang's visit to Astana brings additional attention to those projects and Kazakhstan's wider ambition to become an international AI technology hub.
