AI Academy opens in Baku to boost national AI ecosystem

The Artificial Intelligence Academy (AI Academy) officially opened today in Baku, according to the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan, Report informs.

The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev and Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev.

During the event, attendees were briefed on the academy's activity plan, educational programs, and its goals for advancing the AI ecosystem in Azerbaijan. Participants toured the facilities, engaged with students preparing for the academic process, and exchanged views on their expectations and future plans.

The AI Academy is established with the support of AZCON Holding and in line with the "Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2025–2028."

Its main objective is to train skilled professionals in the field of artificial intelligence and accelerate digital transformation in the country. The academy also aims to position Azerbaijan as a regional hub for AI education and the implementation of innovative projects.

The educational programs are designed to meet international standards and draw from the experience of top global universities. The academic staff comprises experts with extensive experience in AI and cutting-edge technologies.

Global integration is a key focus of the academy, which has already established collaborations with leading institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of California, Carnegie Mellon University, Harvard University, and Stanford University. Professors and researchers from these universities will be invited to give guest lectures.

The academy places special emphasis on scientific research and the development of innovative projects. Students and professionals will have the opportunity to work on startup ideas, participate in applied projects, and benefit from international experience.

At the event, a prototype of a large language model was also unveiled. Developed through instruction tuning on 10 billion tokens and 1.2 million synthetic data points, the model represents a significant step in Azerbaijan's sovereign AI capabilities and marks a milestone in the growth of the national innovation ecosystem.

"The establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Academy is of strategic importance for training a new generation of specialists, strengthening the digital economy, and reinforcing Azerbaijan's position on the global AI map," said Tunjay Baghirov, Director of the National Artificial Intelligence Center of Azerbaijan.

All educational programs offered by the academy are fully funded through scholarships. Information about upcoming admissions and other updates will be available on the AI Academy"s official website and social media platforms.