The goal of the competition is ‒ to give students the opportunity to try themselves in real projects on AI and digital technologies: from the development and programming of information systems to creating AI products, startup ideas, and media projects, to bring their ideas to life, improve their AI skills, and create solutions that can benefit people, business, and the university.

The competition is held in all educational programs of the University in two sections:

1. Engineering and Technology Projects

Task: development and programming of a barista robot using AI, automation, and digital control technologies

1. Entrepreneurial and Media Projects

Task: development of a business plan or media project, based on the application of AI and digital technologies (AI services, digital platforms, intelligent products, data-driven solutions, etc.).

Stages and Timeline

Stage 1. Application submission: from 12 to 24 January 2026.

Participants send the application form (Appendix 1) by e-mail to itgenius@iitu.edu.kz in the format .pdf.

January 26, 2026 – an introductory meeting of participants with the organizing committee.

Stage 2. Submission of Competition Materials

Timeline: from 26 February to 14 March 2026

- Participants of the «Entrepreneurial and Media Projects» section submit a business plan or a description of a digital product using AI (Appendix 2) in PDF format.

- Participants of the «Engineering and Technology Projects» section submit a description of the solution architecture and/or a project simulation demonstrating the barista robot's operation and the AI technologies used.

Materials are sent by e-mail to: itgenius@iitu.edu.kz

Stage 3. Expert Evaluation

Timeline: from 16 to 25 March 2026

Projects are evaluated by an expert commission according to the criteria of innovativeness, level of AI application, practical significance, quality of implementation, and scaling potential.

Stage 4. Final: April 10, 2026

In-person defense of projects before the jury in the format of a presentation and demonstration of the developed solutions.

The results of the competition are published on the official website of the University after the completion of the final stage. The winners are awarded diplomas and cash prizes.

TERMS OF PARTICIPATION

• Students of all years of study at JSC IITU are eligible to participate.
• Participation is possible individually or as a team (up to 5 people).
• One participant (or team) may submit only one project.
• All projects must involve the use of AI and/or digital technologies.
• Projects must be original and must not infringe the copyright of third parties.
• The project must be of a research and innovation nature and must be presented in a working or demonstration form.

CONTACTS FOR APPLICATIONS:

Department for Scientific Personnel Training, JSC IITU,

Main Building, Office 609

E-mail: itgenius@iitu.edu.kz

Contacts for further information:

E-mail: dpnk@iitu.edu.kz

Phone: 8(727) 244 5118

Venue: Almaty, JSC International Information Technology University.