Can Selcuki: Azerbaijan should become global industrial pilot zone in AI ​​era

Azerbaijan should strive to become a global industrial pilot zone in the era of artificial intelligence, Can Selcuki, managing partner of Istanbul Economics Research, said during the first Azerbaijan International Investment Forum (AIIF 2025), Report informs.

According to the expert, Azerbaijan has three key advantages: its geographic location, as the country is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Persian Gulf, which is particularly important in the context of the restructuring of global supply chains; energy potential; and a young population.

However, as Can Selcuki noted, Azerbaijan's main strategic goal is not to be merely a transit corridor or another energy exporter.

"Azerbaijan should strive to become a global industrial pilot zone in the era of artificial intelligence. This means creating a kind of 'sandbox' where investors can test and implement new technologies. But this is only possible if they are integrated into the country's business environment," he emphasized.

According to him, the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies should take place not on the periphery, but at the very center of industrial development.

Selcuki cited examples: AI-powered logistics corridors that make trade faster and more predictable; "smart factories" where predictive systems improve efficiency and sustainability; and educational and training platforms that adapt in real time to industry demands.

Thus, according to the expert, Azerbaijan can become a "laboratory of the future" where new technologies can be tested, scaled, and exported.

"The question is whether Azerbaijan will be merely a temporary location for capital or a partner with whom investors will build the future. The answer lies in the choice of strategy: it is important for the country to transition from oil dependence to a knowledge and technology economy," concluded Selcuki.