AI-powered progress: Azerbaijan leads way in smart government, economy

Azerbaijan is rapidly advancing its integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across key sectors, with several groundbreaking AI projects already benefiting citizens.

Fariz Jafarov, Executive Director of the Centre for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4SIM), shared these developments during the 12th Global Baku Forum, revealing how AI is shaping the future of the nation's economy, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

Jafarov highlighted that the Centre, in collaboration with other state institutions, has successfully implemented several AI systems that are now in active use. A notable example is the integration of AI into the Ministry of Economy’s call-centre system, which assists Azerbaijani citizens seeking information on taxes and public services.

"We’ve launched a project where artificial intelligence aids citizens calling the Ministry of Economy. The AI listens to the caller’s queries, processes the information, and provides relevant answers based on legislation, thus assisting operators in delivering accurate responses," Jafarov explained.

Additionally, AI is being utilized in Azerbaijan's energy sector to monitor carbon emissions and develop strategies for their reduction. The technology is also being employed for predictive maintenance, helping large state-owned enterprises avoid costly equipment failures.

Azerbaijan has also integrated AI to streamline government services. "We are using AI for facial recognition to facilitate easier access to public services," Jafarov noted.

Furthermore, the country has been actively implementing AI-powered chatbots, trained to handle over a million sentences and words, enabling citizens to receive information about legislation and other governmental matters.

Looking ahead, Jafarov underscored the importance of a comprehensive digital economy strategy, which includes over 52 initiatives aimed at unifying these efforts. The strategy addresses critical aspects of AI applications, from infrastructure and data collection to ethics and legislation. According to Jafarov, AI could contribute up to $40 billion to Azerbaijan’s economy by 2040.

“The successful implementation of these technologies is also closely linked to digital literacy,” Jafarov added, emphasizing that equipping the population with the necessary skills is essential for the country’s continued progress in the digital era.

By Vafa Guliyeva