Fariz Jafarov, executive director of the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution of Azerbaijan, talks about how the center helps shape Azerbaijan’s response to rapid technological advances.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution Analysis and Coordination Center, founded in 2021 under the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, works closely with the World Economic Forum to promote the digital transformation of the Azerbaijan economy. CEO Fariz Jafarov plays an important role in shaping the country’s response to rapid technological advances.
Jafarov describes the core technologies of Industry 4.0 (connectivity, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), big data, blockchain and data management) and their transformative impacts on governance, management and production. In line with Azerbaijan’s Vision 2030, the center aims to implement 60 initiatives in business, government and society, thereby improving digital transformation and efficiency.
The center has already contributed to literacy and improving digital skills among Azerbaijanis by providing free access to Coursera to 10,000 citizens and initiating flagship projects such as the development of large language models in Azerbaijani. In addition to showcasing AI applications in energy management, Jafarov’s team also supports major international events such as the COP29 climate conference, which will take place in Baku in November.
By uniting international expertise with local initiatives, the center not only helps identify digital gaps for organizations but also equips them with strategic roadmaps for digital transformation, aiming to ensure Azerbaijan’s place at the forefront of the global digital economy.
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