Azerbaijan has ranked 62nd in the global artificial intelligence usage index, with 17.7% of its working-age population actively using AI. Experts view this as a starting point for further development.
The index for the first quarter of 2026 shows Georgia at 54th (20.5%), Turkey at 65th (17.4%), and Kazakhstan at 70th (15.9%). The UAE leads with 70.1%.
Cybersecurity and AI expert Azar Alili noted that the 62nd position is neither a disaster nor satisfactory, but a starting point reflecting objective reality. He emphasized that Azerbaijan is ahead of Turkey and Kazakhstan but slightly behind Georgia.
Alili outlined five key areas for improvement: mass education, Azerbaijani language NLP models, AI responsibility in ministries, incentives for the private sector, and international integration.
Elvin Abbasov, head of the Azerbaijan ICT Industry Association, stressed the need for a national data strategy and promotion of local technological solutions to achieve sustainable growth.
