ZƏKA — Azerbaijan's first National AI Awards close applications on 15 September, gala on 15 October
Organised by AmCham Azerbaijan, InnMedia and Safaroff Agency with support from IDDA, KOBIA, C4IR and NAIC, the ZƏKA awards recognise AI solutions from government, business, startups and creators.
Azerbaijan is launching its first national awards for artificial intelligence. The ZƏKA National Artificial Intelligence Awards accept applications from 20 August to 15 September 2026, and the winners will be announced at a gala ceremony on 15 October 2026, according to the organisers.
Who is behind it
The awards are organised by AmCham Azerbaijan, InnMedia and Safaroff Agency, with official support from the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA), the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA), the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) and the National AI Centre (NAIC).
Five categories
- Government AI Solution of the Year
- Private AI Solution of the Year
- AI Startup of the Year
- AI Creator of the Year
- Tech Xəbər Choice
Individuals and organisations can apply with a project description, technical documentation, a demo and supporting materials through aiawards.az.
Context
The initiative runs alongside the state's Artificial Intelligence Strategy for 2025–2028 and is described by the organisers as a platform connecting the public sector, private companies, startups, academia and the creative industries. For observers, the first shortlist will be a useful map of which AI projects in Azerbaijan have actually reached a demonstrable stage.
