Astana to renovate world’s largest spherical building

Astana’s Nur Alem sphere, the legacy of EXPO 2017, is set to host the Alem.AI artificial intelligence center, according to the Informburo.kz news portal, citing QazExpoCongress.

QazExpoCongress, the national company managing EXPO facilities in Astana, has confirmed plans for the upcoming renovation. Currently, the dismantling of exhibits from the Future Energy Museum, housed within the sphere, is underway. However, no structural changes to the building are planned.

The Alem.AI international artificial intelligence center, a project previously approved by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, is expected to open on the premises. The EXPO site covers 25 hectares and consists of 15 facilities.

News of the renovation first surfaced on social media. Since 2014, approximately $1 billion has been invested in constructing the EXPO complex. The 2017 international specialized exhibition in Astana spanned 174 hectares and welcomed participants from 115 countries and 22 international organizations, attracting more than 3 million visitors.