Azerbaijan Elevates AI Security as Part of Its New Hybrid Defense Strategy
BAKU – During a high-level public debate at the Azerbaijani Parliament focused on digital development and the protection of children online, Ramid Namazov, Chairman of the Temporary Commission against Foreign Interference and Hybrid Threats, formally declared that AI-driven disinformation and “deepfake” technology must now be classified as significant components of the nation’s hybrid threat arsenal. As artificial intelligence advances, Namazov stressed that these synthetic media tools—capable of generating hyper-realistic audio and video—have evolved into agile weapons used to manipulate public perception, damage institutional reputations, and deceive vulnerable populations, including children.
To bolster the nation’s digital autonomy, Namazov highlighted the recent establishment of the National Supercomputer Center. This facility allows Azerbaijan to train and manage sophisticated AI models internally, eliminating reliance on external cloud services. By localizing data processing, the state ensures that sensitive information remains within national borders, serving as a cornerstone for both national security and digital sovereignty. This move is designed not only to secure data but also to streamline public administration and foster economic diversification through optimized, AI-driven decision-making.
The modernization of Azerbaijan’s defense architecture is shifting focus from traditional cyber defense toward “digital resilience”—the ability of systems to recover rapidly from complex geopolitical cyber incidents. Namazov emphasized that the country’s increasing digital integration necessitates a fundamental overhaul of its cybersecurity strategy. This includes the development of robust internal risk management mechanisms and the urgent training of specialized personnel to anticipate and counter the rapid, often uncontrollable spread of synthetic media that challenges current fact-checking capabilities.
A key pillar of Azerbaijan’s response to these evolving threats is the upcoming 2026–2028 Action Plan, which prioritizes the implementation of AI-driven systems designed for the automatic detection of prohibited and harmful content. Simultaneously, the government has set a strategic objective to develop native large language models (LLMs) in the Azerbaijani language by 2028. Because current global AI models are predominantly trained in English and other dominant languages, Namazov noted that creating domestic models is essential to protecting the country’s cultural and linguistic sovereignty while ensuring high-quality, reliable AI services for its citizens.
The broader national AI Strategy is structured around four primary pillars: improving AI governance, expanding computing infrastructure, strengthening the human capital pipeline, and raising public awareness. Central to this mission is the newly established AI Academy, which aims to produce 500 highly skilled engineers trained to international standards and foster an active community of 3,000 AI professionals. The state views these educational initiatives as non-negotiable, prioritizing not only the promotion of AI’s industrial benefits but also the rigorous teaching of ethical principles to mitigate societal risks.
Ultimately, Azerbaijan is positioning itself as a proactive player in the global AI landscape by balancing rapid technological adoption with defensive caution. By fostering international partnerships and focusing on home-grown expertise, the government intends to harness AI as a catalyst for growth while insulating the nation from the destabilizing effects of foreign interference. Namazov concluded that as these technologies continue to integrate into daily life, constant vigilance and the integration of ethics into technical infrastructure will remain the guiding principles of Azerbaijan’s digital agenda.