BAKU, September 8
Azerbaijan is stepping into the global race for artificial intelligence supremacy with the launch of its new AI Academy in Baku. Officials say the institution, backed by the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport and AZCON Holding, is designed not just to train specialists but to turn the country into a regional hub for AI innovation.
The project is anchored in the government’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy for 2025–2028, which outlines plans to expand digital skills, promote sovereign technologies, and integrate AI across sectors from education to transport. At the opening ceremony, Digital Development Minister Rashad Nabiyev and Education Minister Emin Amrullayev underscored the Academy’s role in “building the human capital needed to sustain Azerbaijan’s digital transformation.”
A Prototype of Sovereign AI
In a symbolic move, the Academy also unveiled a prototype large language model trained on 10 billion tokens and 1.2 million synthetic data entries. While still in early stages, the project signals Azerbaijan’s ambition to develop AI systems independent of foreign platforms. Officials framed it as a milestone in building a national innovation ecosystem that could rival regional players.
Regional Context
Azerbaijan’s push mirrors efforts across the Turkic world and beyond. Turkey recently expanded AI programs at leading universities, while Kazakhstan is investing in digital research centers. Further afield, the UAE launched a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence in 2017, and Singapore has positioned itself as a global hub for AI talent through its AI Singapore initiative.
For Azerbaijan, the move is as much about geopolitics as technology. By developing homegrown AI capacity, Baku aims to reduce reliance on foreign tech providers while building credibility as a regional digital leader. Analysts note that AI is becoming a tool of soft power: countries that export expertise, standards, and platforms are also shaping influence across borders.
Training for the Future
The AI Academy’s curriculum has been designed to meet international standards, drawing on the experience of top universities. Programs will target not only students but also professionals seeking to retrain in AI and data science. Organizers say this dual focus reflects the need to both educate a new generation and re-skill today’s workforce.
“AI is not just a sector of the future; it’s already transforming industries today. If Azerbaijan wants to be competitive, we must prepare our talent now,” said an official involved in the project.
Looking Ahead
Whether the Academy can fulfill its ambition of making Azerbaijan a regional hub will depend on sustained investment, international partnerships, and the ability to retain talent in an increasingly competitive field. Still, the opening in Baku marks a decisive step in positioning the country within the global AI landscape.
