AmCham Azerbaijan hosted its First Confe ...
AmCham news
AmCham Azerbaijan hosted its First Conference on Innovations and Artificial Intelligence supported by – Bakcell
On October 2, 2025, the American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan (AmCham Azerbaijan) convened the landmark Conference on Innovations and Artificial Intelligence, proudly supported by Bakcell. The conference gathered senior government officials, global and local business leaders, and AI experts to explore how artificial intelligence is shaping industries and driving sustainable innovation in anticipation of Azerbaijan’s evolving economic agenda.
Opening the conference, Ms. Ana Nakashidze, Chairperson of AmCham Innovation and Digital Economy Committee, underscored the pivotal role of digital infrastructure and connectivity in unlocking the full potential of artificial intelligence. She emphasized that a strong, modern telecommunications backbone is the foundation on which innovation can thrive, enabling businesses, institutions, and individuals to adopt AI-powered solutions seamlessly. Ms. Ana also noted that the conference represents an important milestone in bringing together government, business, and technology leaders to ensure that Azerbaijan is not only a consumer of innovation but also a creator of cutting-edge solutions.
Following Ms Ana, Mr. Dayanat Sadullayev, President of AmCham Azerbaijan, welcomed participants, emphasizing the country’s commitment to technological progress. He noted: “AI is no longer just a concept—it is shaping industries, redefining business models, and transforming societies. Azerbaijan business community must not only keep pace but also play an active role in this transformation.” Mr. Sadullayev highlighted the role of the conference as more than a dialogue platform, describing it as “a catalyst for shaping the future of our economy and society.” He also noted that, based on the outcomes of the conference, AmCham would consider incorporating discussions on AI and innovation into its White Paper, translating them into actionable recommendations for policymakers and the private sector. Furthermore, Mr. Sadullayev expressed his gratitude to Bakcell, the conference’s supporter and sponsor, and to all partners, panelists, and members who share AmCham’s vision of building a future-ready local business community.
The first panel, “The Azerbaijani AI Story – Local Pioneers Driving Innovation,” was moderated by AmCham Marketing, Communications & Business DevelopmenT Committee Chair Ms. Aysel Suleymanova, who noted that AI in Azerbaijan is no longer a distant vision but already producing real results across industries. Panelists shared their experiences of developing and implementing AI-driven projects. Starting the discussion, Mr. Anton Aristov, Managing Director & Partner at BCG, shared insights on Caspian AI Institute’s role in knowledge transfer and ecosystem development. As the conversation progressed, Mr. Fariz Jafarov, Executive Director of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) Azerbaijan, outlined the center’s efforts to align local AI development with international best practices and policies. Afterwards,Mr. Klaus Mueller, CEO of Bakcell, spoke about integrating AI into telecom services to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency. Building on these perspectives, Mr. Kanan Tabasaransky, Founder of Smart Solutions Group, discussed applying AI in business solutions and start-up ecosystems. Completing the views, Mr. Kanan Aliyev, Director of Reservoir Management at GL Group, demonstrated how AI can optimize processes in oil and gas, particularly in brownfield development. The panel showcased how national vision, private initiative, and international expertise are working hand in hand to advance Azerbaijan’s AI journey.
The first panel underscored that Azerbaijan’s AI ecosystem is already producing tangible results and that future progress will depend on strengthening collaboration between national strategy, private sector leadership, and global expertise.
The program then moved to a thought-provoking fireside chat with Mr. Klaus Mueller, CEO of Bakcell, and Ms. Tugra Musayeva, Head of Innovations at PASHA Holding, during which the speakers discussed the impact of innovations and AI on Azerbaijan’s digital landscape. The discussion emphasized the need for robust digital infrastructure, cross-sector collaboration, and forward-looking policies to accelerate the country’s transformation into a technology-driven economy
The second panel, “Global Trends & Innovation – Charting the Future,” was moderated by CEO of Neurotime Mr. Vugar Javadov, who framed the discussion by noting that Azerbaijan’s path to digital transformation cannot be isolated from global shifts. The panel addressed how the accelerating pace of technological change is reshaping industries worldwide. Starting the panel, Mr. Rahat Dewan, Co-Founder of AAJIL Saudi Arabia, spoke about the “tech tsunami” and its power to disrupt business models. Following him, Mr. Tural Mammadov, Chief Information Security Officer at SSSCIS, warned of rising risks in AI-powered cybercrime, from voice cloning to deepfakes, and the importance of building resilience. The discussion continued with Mr. Valeh Nabiyev, Chief Data Officer at PASHA Holding, stressing the significance of responsible AI governance and building trust at scale. Thereafter, Mr. Babek Aghayev, Deputy CEO of PRODATA, discussed how geopolitical fragmentation and supply chain vulnerabilities affect technological cooperation. Finalizing the discussions, Ms. Julia Bogdanovskaya, Principal at BCG, reflected on the geopolitical implications of generative AI for Azerbaijan and neighbouring countries.
The discussion emphasized that while opportunities are vast, businesses and policymakers alike must cultivate adaptability, resilience, and responsible governance to harness innovation in a way that ensures security, stability, and competitiveness.
The conference was concluded by AmCham Board Member Mr. Babek Aghayev who underlined that building an innovation-driven economy powered by AI requires joint efforts to ensure responsible adoption and long-term value creation.
Throughout the conference, speakers emphasized the need for joint action, innovation-driven governance, and cross-industry collaboration to maximize AI’s transformative potential. The conference reaffirmed AmCham Azerbaijan’s commitment to providing platforms that strengthen dialogue, drive innovation, and prepare the country’s business environment for the opportunities and challenges of the future.
The event’s exceptional success was made possible through, the valued support and sponsorship of Bakcell, whose collaboration was instrumental in organizing such a meaningful and impactful conference.
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