The ceremonial opening and plenary session of the 12th International Scientific and Technical Conference of students, master’s students, doctoral students, and young scientists, “Artificial Intelligence and Innovations: New Challenges and Engineering Solutions of the Future,” dedicated to the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, took place at D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University.
This year, the plenary session was held in an unusual and especially dynamic format - the EKTU Science Talk talk show. It was not merely an exchange of opinions, but a true intellectual dialogue in which science sounded modern, vibrant, and genuinely engaging. The talk show format allowed participants not only to hear expert assessments, but also to feel the pulse of the times, to see how rapidly the world is changing under the influence of new technologies, and to reflect together on what the future of science, engineering, and humanity itself will look like in the age of artificial intelligence. The talk show was moderated by S.R. Baigereyev, PhD, Associate Professor, who gave the meeting energy, depth, and a special atmosphere of open discussion.
The speakers and guests of the EKTU Science Talk talk show were: S.Rakhmetullina, Chair of the Board – Rector; Z. Kamasova, Head of the Women’s Wing of the East Kazakhstan regional branch of the AMANAT party; Zh. Konurbayeva, Member of the Board – Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation; Dr. rer. nat. Bettina Andersen, Director of the Biomedical Research Center (BFS) at Justus Liebig University Giessen (Germany); Evgeniya Yakushina, PhD, Technical Director, Head of Strategic Programs, Chief Researcher for Knowledge Exchange at NMIS (University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom); A. Zvontsov, Product Management Manager at Alpha-Safety LLP.
A special atmosphere was created by the young researchers and inventors invited to the studio, whose projects clearly demonstrated how multifaceted, fascinating, and promising modern science can be. Among the participants of the program were Kalymbek Ulan, a second-year student of the Educational Program “Computer Engineering and Software” at D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University; Diyar Mashtayev, an 11th grade student of Gymnasium No. 38 named after Lev Gumilyov in Ust-Kamenogorsk; Altyngul Aknur, a first-year student of the Educational Program “Organization of Transportation, Traffic, and Transport Operation” at EKTU; Valeriya Parubchishina, a fourth-year student of the Educational Program “Life Safety and Environmental Protection” at EKTU; Olzhas Rishatuly, a second-year student of the Educational Program “Smart Technologies and Artificial Intelligence in Transport Engineering” at EKTU; and Sanyaz Karaydarov, a first-year doctoral student of the Educational Program “Thermal Power Engineering” at EKTU.
An unusual guest of the program was the AI-Sana robot, which attracted particular interest from the audience and participants of the talk show. Its appearance became one of the most memorable moments of the event, vividly demonstrating that artificial intelligence today is no longer an abstract subject of scientific discussion, but a reality entering everyday life. After the robot’s capabilities were demonstrated, the program participants asked questions to its developer — Yelzhan Aidarkhanov, a first-year master’s student of the Educational Program “Mathematics.” He spoke in detail about the specific features of the project’s development, the operating principles of the robot, its functional capabilities, and the tasks that AI-Sana is able to perform.
One of the most engaging parts of the talk show was a kind of battle between the audience and artificial intelligence. Participants and guests were invited to ask questions, after which the responses of a human and artificial intelligence were compared. This interactive format generated lively interest among the audience and made it possible not only to see the strengths of modern intelligent systems, but also to reflect on the boundaries of human thinking, intuition, and technology. This dialogue became a vivid illustration of how humans and artificial intelligence today do not merely coexist, but actively interact, opening new horizons for science and education.
Throughout the event, different opinions were voiced, and interesting research, practical developments, and bold ideas were presented. Yet the main outcome of the talk show was the participants’ shared effort to find an answer to an important and truly timely question: How is artificial intelligence changing science?
Concluding the event, Zh.T. Konurbayeva, Member of the Board – Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation, thanked all the speakers for their meaningful and inspiring presentations, conducted an awards ceremony in various nominations, and wished the young scientists and researchers new achievements, bright ideas, bold discoveries, and the successful implementation of all their projects.
EKTU Science Talk became not merely a part of the conference, but a genuine platform for live communication, inspiration, and intellectual exploration, where science, technology, youthful energy, and a vision of the future came together.
