On August 13, 2026, the Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) and Nazarbayev University’s School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence (SCAI) welcomed Elnar Salpekov, a representative of Firebird AI, to discuss potential collaboration in artificial intelligence, education, and advanced computing.
The meeting took place as Firebird AI explores opportunities to expand its activities in Kazakhstan, with a particular focus on both AI infrastructure and educational initiatives. In June 2026, the company announced strategic agreements with the Government of Kazakhstan aimed at developing next-generation AI infrastructure and advanced computing capabilities in the country.
Firebird AI is a U.S.-based AI infrastructure company focused on large-scale computing for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. The company is currently developing an AI Factory in Armenia, designed to provide high-performance NVIDIA GPU computing capacity and support AI research, innovation, and enterprise applications.
Building on its plans for Kazakhstan, Firebird AI is also exploring educational projects that could contribute to the development of the country’s AI talent. This provided an important focus for the discussion with ISSAI and SCAI, whose representatives included General Director and Dean Dr. Atakan Varol, Associate Professor Almas Shintemirov, Executive Director Yerbol Absalyampov, External Affairs Manager Ulzhan Alibek, and Senior Computer Engineer Shakhizat Nurgaliev.
The participants discussed potential areas of cooperation between Firebird AI and SCAI and ISSAI, including AI research, advanced computing, and education. One of the key ideas discussed was the possibility of establishing a scholarship programme for Kazakhstani students to study at universities in Kazakhstan, including Nazarbayev University. Such an initiative could create additional opportunities for students to develop expertise in AI and related fields while supporting the growth of Kazakhstan’s AI talent.
The meeting provided an opportunity to explore common areas of interest and identify potential initiatives that could contribute to Kazakhstan’s developing AI research, infrastructure, and education ecosystem.