Kazakhstan's Alem.ai Battle Crowns Innovators in AI and Digital Tech

The International Artificial Intelligence Center has hosted the finals of the Alem.ai Battle, a major startup competition in Kazakhstan. With 830 applications from across the country, the event showcased cutting-edge projects in AI and digital innovation. A prize pool of 25 million tenge was awarded to the winners.

The competition took place at the former Nur Alem Pavilion, now a hub for education, startups, and research. Deputy Prime Minister Zhaslan Madiyev, who also serves as Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, attended the opening ceremony to highlight the event's significance. The Alem.ai Battle featured 20 finalists divided into four categories, each with five competing teams. Among the standout projects was SuGuard, a non-invasive glucose monitoring system. It uses smart bracelets to track blood sugar levels and detect early signs of diabetes.

Another notable entry was Grader.ai, an AI-driven app designed to help IELTS test-takers. The tool evaluates spoken responses and delivers personalised feedback to improve exam performance. Meanwhile, Neuralese introduced a visual platform that teaches students and schoolchildren how to build their own AI models without complex coding.

In the AI Young Talents category, 18-year-old Yesbol Azan, a student at Nazarbayev Intellectual School, presented Sardar. This 3D game immerses players in Kazakh culture, blending entertainment with cultural education.

The transformed Nur Alem Pavilion served as the competition's venue, now repurposed as a centre for education, startup support, and advanced research. The event underscored Kazakhstan's growing focus on fostering innovation in artificial intelligence and digital technology. The Alem.ai Battle concluded with winners sharing a 25 million tenge prize fund. The competition highlighted diverse AI applications, from healthcare and education to gaming and language training. The event also reinforced the Nur Alem Pavilion's new role as a key space for tech development in the region.