CASPIA Center Analyst Nargiz Mammadova commented on recent geopolitical developments in the region and Azerbaijan’s digitalization strategy during a broadcast on CBC TV.

According to the analyst, modern international conflicts - despite their tragic nature - often compel states to reassess their security models and adapt to emerging threats. Mammadova noted that recent wars in the Middle East have demonstrated how rapidly the nature of threats is evolving in the 21st century.

“Paradoxically, while wars are always a tragedy - especially those occurring in the Middle East - they nevertheless teach states important lessons,” she stated during the broadcast.

In her view, one of the primary lessons of contemporary conflicts is the need for states to maintain a high level of adaptability and to respond not only to direct military threats but also to indirect and non-traditional challenges.

“Today, threats are not limited to conventional warfare. We are witnessing cyberattacks, hybrid operations, large-scale media campaigns, and the use of networks of fake bots, many of which are increasingly powered by artificial intelligence,” the analyst emphasized.

Within this context, Mammadova highlighted Azerbaijan’s efforts to strengthen its digital infrastructure and develop artificial intelligence technologies. She recalled that a major discussion on the country’s large - scale digitalization program recently took place in Baku with the participation of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.

The analyst also addressed the outcomes of the recent summit in Washington, which she described as an important stage in regional political processes and a signal of new diplomatic dynamics emerging in the South Caucasus.

Particular attention during the interview was devoted to the prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States in the fields of artificial intelligence and digital technologies. According to Mammadova, these issues were discussed both within official protocols and on the sidelines of international forums.

She further noted that the development of artificial intelligence is progressing through several stages, and that the generative models widely used today represent only the initial phase of this technological evolution.

“The systems we use today represent merely the early stage of artificial intelligence development. They operate on relatively simple algorithms. The next stage involves far more complex systems that require powerful computational infrastructure, data centers, and supercomputers,” she explained.

According to the analyst, the development of such technologies could become one of the key directions of Azerbaijan’s cooperation with international partners. In particular, the establishment of new data centers and high-tech infrastructure in the country is currently being considered.

Mammadova also emphasized that the advancement of digital technologies could play an important role in countering information manipulation and disinformation campaigns, which have become a defining feature of modern hybrid conflicts.

Furthermore, she noted that investments in the IT sector can generate a multiplier effect for the broader economy.

“There is an economic dynamic whereby a major investment in one sector can trigger a geometric increase in investments across other industries. This is precisely why the development of the IT sector can become a significant driver for the entire economy,” the analyst concluded. More via link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2EaGnQQRO8