Results of the "AI-Sana Leaders" AI Startup Competition

As part of the national AI-Sana program, the "AI-Sana Leaders" competition for innovative projects in the field of artificial intelligence among universities of Kazakhstan was held.

On October 30, 2025, the AI-Sana Ceremony took place at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University — one of the central events of the AI-Sana program within the framework of the International Forum of Strategic Partners "Kazakhstan - a Territory of Academic Knowledge."

During the event, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between JSC "Science Foundation" and "Platonus" LLP for the development of the AI-Sana Academy educational platform. The platform will become a national digital ecosystem for training and upskilling specialists in the field of artificial intelligence and technological entrepreneurship.

The ceremony concluded with the award ceremony for 15 best AI projects presented by Kazakhstani universities. The projects included solutions in healthcare, education, energy, culture, career guidance, inclusion, and digital governance.

The partners and sponsors of the event were: JSC NC "KazMunayGas", Alageum Electric, QazCloud, ÓzgeEpic creative hub, Halyk bank, Kazdream IT Holding, SHAI.PRO, Kazakhstan Association of IT Companies, Qaz.AI Association, EMDEU medical data, Yandex Cloud.

Winners of the AI Startup Competition based on the expert evaluation of the jury:

1. Project: "Shakarim AI Check."

An AI agent for the intelligent analysis of student papers - Shakarim University.

Nomination: "Best AI Project in Education - 'Academic Integrity'."

Team:

  • Azatbekuly Nurtugan - Head of Software Development Department, Technical Lead
  • Yessenbek Akhmet Kuanyshbekuly - 3rd Year Bachelor's Student, Higher School of STEM Education, Developer
  • Ghaziz Yelzhas - 2nd Year Bachelor's Student, Higher School of STEM Education, Developer
2. Project: "Nova Geon".

The startup is a full-featured AI platform for career guidance and HR analytics, already successfully implemented at Quantum School and DTJ company - Abylkas Saginov Karaganda Technical University.

Nomination: "Best Industry-Specific Solution."

Team:

  • Kozhanov Murat Galiaskarovich - Head, Project Manager
  • Yevdokimov Alexander Nikolaevich - Head, Senior Product Lead
  • Atakhanov Vladislav Olegovich - Frontend Developer
  • Nazarov Danil Sergeevich - Backend Developer, Master's Student
  • Solovyev Alexander Dmitrievich, Master's Student
3. Project: "EnergyDronesAI".

An AI system for rapid detection of defects in solar panels using drones - Coventry University Kazakhstan.

Nomination: "Best AI Project in Energy."

  • Nuraim Kuandyk - Project Author, 1st Year "Computer Science"
4. Project: "OncoZero.AI".

The startup implements a solution for early cancer detection using AI. Kazakhstan-British Technical University.

Nomination: "Best AI Project in Healthcare."

Team:

  • Amitov Almukhamed Yakhiauly, 2025 Graduate
  • Kuatov Yermukhamed Yerlanuly, Graduate
5. Project: "OquLabs".

The startup provides teachers with tools for monitoring student work, including automated assignment checking - Almaty Management University.

Nomination: "Best AI Project in Education."

Team:

  • Bakibayev Timur, Startup Lead, Technical Lead
  • Abishev Kuanysh, Analyst
  • Pak Maxim, Commercial Director
  • Grechkin Victor, 3rd Year Student, "Information Systems"
  • Maratuly Temirbolat, Backend Developer, Project Manager
6. Project: "JIDEK - Career Navigator".

An AI agent for matching students with internships and jobs based on their profile and employer requirements - Alikhan Bokeikhan University.

Nomination: "AI for Building Career Pathways"

Team:

  • Misaylov Raif - Head, Project Manager of Abai IT Valley
  • Karipzhanova Ardak Zhumagaziyevna - Project Curator
  • Smailova Aruzhan - Manager - 11th Grade Student of Abai IT School
  • Sarsembayev Rollan - Developer, 2nd Year Student
  • Maksutbekov Asanaly - Developer, 2nd Year Student
  • Gilmutdinov Ramil - UI/UX Designer, 1st Year Master's Student
7. Project: "RECOGNITION AND ANALYSIS OF RUNIC SCRIPT VIA OPTICAL AND INTELLIGENT CHARACTER RECOGNITION"

L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.

Nomination: "Best AI Project in Culture"

Team:

  • Akanova Kulshat Mazhitovna - Project Lead, Associate Professor
  • Askarov Amanzhol, Student
  • Baktykan Dana, Student
8. Project: "ZhanCare.AI"

A telemedicine platform with AI for convenient patient-doctor interaction, analytics, and treatment management - Astana Medical University.

Nomination: "Best AI Project in Healthcare."

Team:

  • Batyrkhanov Zhandos Kairatuly, 5th Year, Pharmacy
  • Musulmanbekov Adilkhan Nurtaiuly, 5th Year, Dentistry
  • Ahramovich Adilan Andreevich, IT Specialist
  • Kablashimova Dilnaz Talgatovna, 4th Year, Pediatrics
  • Tastambekov Imangali Daurenuly, 3rd Year, Dentistry
  • Betekbayeva Dameli Rustemkyzy, 4th Year, Pediatrics, Astana Medical University
  • Abildinova Saniya Kuanyshevna, 5th Year, General Medicine
  • Ibraev Alisher Maksutuly, 7th Year, Internship
  • Ashimov Adilkhan Nurlanuly, 7th Year, Internship
  • Zhakizhanov Diar Rakhmetullaevich, 7th Year, Internship
9. Project: "AI HUB"

Аn intelligent platform for education automation and digital transformation - Safi Utebaev Atyrau University of Oil and Gas.

Nomination: "Sponsor's Choice"

Team:

  • Abdigaliyeva Akmaral Nurasylovna - Head of the Ai hub Center
  • Yegеubay Miras Muratuly – 4th Year Student
  • Kusmanova Aliya Khasenkyzy – 4th Year Student
10. Project: "AI-MedVoice"

An intelligent doctor's assistant for automating dialogues and medical documentation - Karaganda Medical University.

Nomination: "Best AI Solution in Automation."

Team:

  • Sarsenbayev Kasym Kuandykovich, Master of Medical Sciences - Lead
  • Iriskulov Khavas Farkhadovich - Student, General Medicine Educational Program
  • Yesbolat Ayan - Student, Scientific and Innovative Medical Activity Educational Program
11. Project: "Smart Safety Monitor"

This is an AI-based automatic traffic control system for underground mining operations - D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University.

Nomination: "Best Industrial AI Project."

Team:

  • Nesipkaliyev Ulan Yerengaliyevich - Vice-Rector for Strategic Development
  • Khasenova Zarina Toleubekovna - PhD, Dean of the School of Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence
  • Tolegenov Mukhammad - 1st Year Master's Student, "Information Systems"
  • Chetykbayev Ruslan Kairatovich - 3rd Year Doctoral Student, "Information Systems"
12. Project: "AiJan"

An AI platform to support youth and anonymously combat bullying in schools - Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University.

Nomination: "AI for Good: Social Initiative of the Year"

Team:

  • Isakov Azat — Director of the Commercialization Office
  • Tastanbekov Abylaikhan — Curator of the Yasawi StartUp Incubation Program
  • Mukhitdinov Otabek — 11th Grade Student at "Daryn" School
  • Ybraim Nurzhaina — 2nd Year Student
  • Abushakhma AkTore — 2nd Year Master's Student
  • Yeleusiz Aslan — IT Department Employee, Graduate
13. Project: CortexAI

It uses clinical artificial intelligence for early detection of cancer from medical images - Astana IT University.

Nomination: "Best AI Project in Biomedicine."

Team:

  • Assylzhan Abdullayev — 2nd Year, Founder and CEO of the project
  • Yernur Syrlybayev — 2nd Year, Co-founder and CTO
  • Sanzhar Abdikerim — 2nd Year, COO of the project
  • Moldir Musina — 2nd Year, PR Manager
  • Darkhan Sagadiyev — 2nd Year, Project Engineer
  • Balnur Turganbay — 2nd Year, Project Press Secretary
  • Bakdaulet Suleimen — 2nd Year, Project ML Engineer
14. Project: Signbridge

AI Sign Language Interpreter. The startup created a sign language interpretation system for media, e-books, movies, and cartoons in the Kazakh language - L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.

Nomination: "Best Inclusive AI Technologies"

Team:

  • Nurzada Amangeldi — "Artificial Intelligence" Research Institute Researcher
  • Kurmetbek Bekbolat — Master's Student
  • Gazizova Nazerke — Master's Student
  • Kobzhasarova Aurika — Sign Language Interpreter
  • Bolatbekkyzy Kerbez — Bachelor's Degree, "Artificial Intelligence Technologies"
  • Dospol Nazgul — 1st Year Master's Student
  • Smailova Nazgul — Bachelor's Degree, "Artificial Intelligence Technologies"
  • Orymbetov Arif — Bachelor's Degree, "Artificial Intelligence Technologies"
  • Yesenayev Damir — Bachelor's Degree, "Artificial Intelligence Technologies"
  • Khayvkhan Zhanibek — Bachelor's Degree, "Artificial Intelligence Technologies"
15. Project: KOZ AI

Kazakhstan-British Technical University

The startup develops modular digital business platforms with an AI core that automate company processes and are quickly implemented considering industry specifics.

The main nomination: AI-Sana Leader - the project that received the highest score based on the jury's assessment.

Team:

  • Amitov Almukhamed Yakhiauly, 2025 Graduate
  • Kuatov Yermukhamed Yerlanuly, Graduate

 

The AI-Sana program is implemented with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan and is aimed at developing the national artificial intelligence ecosystem, training new technology leaders, and implementing AI solutions in key sectors of the economy.