14:49Machine-translated from Azerbaijani by AIRead in Azerbaijani
Azerbaijan Signs Memorandum of Understanding with SpaceXAI on AI Cooperation
The Ministry of Digital Development and Transport and SpaceXAI have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in artificial intelligence solutions and related digital technologies. The document envisages opportunities to deploy artificial intelligence solutions developed using SpaceXAI’s Grok models in public services and other priority areas of Azerbaijan’s digital transformation. The main goal is to develop higher-quality, more accessible and more efficient public services. The memorandum will not be limited to a single area of application and will cover all government agencies. The parties will jointly assess opportunities to use artificial intelligence and consider the widespread deployment of successful solutions across the public sector. The signing ceremony in Baku was attended by Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Hasanov and a SpaceXAI delegation comprising Dustin Yelinek, Head of Global Government Cooperation and Latin America; Rim Sadek, Head of Global Affairs and Market Development for the Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye; and Nil Perkins, Head of Market Access in the Global Government Cooperation division.
Deputy Minister Rashad Hasanov said that Azerbaijan has already moved from discussing artificial intelligence to implementing it: “In this area, partners are selected based on the contribution they can make to the process. SpaceXAI has advanced artificial intelligence models and extensive engineering capabilities. The signed Memorandum of Understanding creates a framework for exploring how these capabilities can improve services in various areas, from the internal operations of government agencies to citizens’ access to services through mygov, as well as how such solutions can be deployed in our national digital infrastructure.” Dustin Yelinek, Head of Global Government Cooperation and Latin America, said: “We are pleased to work with the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport to bring Grok to the government and help provide citizens with faster, higher-quality services.” Building knowledge and expertise: Strengthening Azerbaijan’s artificial intelligence capacity The parties also agreed to cooperate on strengthening local capacity, sharing knowledge and expertise, and developing relevant skills. The goal is to ensure that artificial intelligence solutions contribute to Azerbaijan’s long-term national digital development objectives. Next stage: From pilot projects to widespread deployment A roadmap will be developed for the next stages of cooperation. This will include pilot projects, technical demonstrations and cooperation with stakeholders. These activities will lay the groundwork for the broader deployment of successful solutions in the future. All cooperation will be carried out in accordance with advanced security measures and modern data protection protocols. Each specific project will be implemented under a separate agreement between the parties. The memorandum aligns with the objectives of the “Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2025–2028,” the “Action Plan for 2026−2028 on Accelerating Digital Development,” and the Ministry’s efforts to develop a modern, citizen-centered and data-driven public sector.
Deputy Minister Rashad Hasanov said that Azerbaijan has already moved from discussing artificial intelligence to implementing it: “In this area, partners are selected based on the contribution they can make to the process. SpaceXAI has advanced artificial intelligence models and extensive engineering capabilities. The signed Memorandum of Understanding creates a framework for exploring how these capabilities can improve services in various areas, from the internal operations of government agencies to citizens’ access to services through mygov, as well as how such solutions can be deployed in our national digital infrastructure.” Dustin Yelinek, Head of Global Government Cooperation and Latin America, said: “We are pleased to work with the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport to bring Grok to the government and help provide citizens with faster, higher-quality services.” Building knowledge and expertise: Strengthening Azerbaijan’s artificial intelligence capacity The parties also agreed to cooperate on strengthening local capacity, sharing knowledge and expertise, and developing relevant skills. The goal is to ensure that artificial intelligence solutions contribute to Azerbaijan’s long-term national digital development objectives. Next stage: From pilot projects to widespread deployment A roadmap will be developed for the next stages of cooperation. This will include pilot projects, technical demonstrations and cooperation with stakeholders. These activities will lay the groundwork for the broader deployment of successful solutions in the future. All cooperation will be carried out in accordance with advanced security measures and modern data protection protocols. Each specific project will be implemented under a separate agreement between the parties. The memorandum aligns with the objectives of the “Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2025–2028,” the “Action Plan for 2026−2028 on Accelerating Digital Development,” and the Ministry’s efforts to develop a modern, citizen-centered and data-driven public sector.