President Ilham Aliyev has addressed the participants of the International Baku Summit of Ombudsmen, held under the theme "Human Rights in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities, Risks, and Responsibilities."
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the text of the President's address was read by Minister of Justice Farid Ahmadov.
In his message, President Aliyev stated: "Distinguished participants of the Summit, I welcome you to the opening of the International Baku Summit of Ombudsmen, dedicated to the theme 'Human Rights in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities, Risks, and Responsibilities.'"
The President emphasized the significance of holding the event on June 18, which marks Human Rights Day in the Republic of Azerbaijan. This date commemorates the approval of the first "State Program on the Protection of Human Rights" by National Leader Heydar Aliyev, which established the protection of human rights as a fundamental pillar of state policy.
Addressing the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), President Aliyev noted that these technologies are fundamentally reshaping the social, economic, legal, and ethical landscape of humanity. He stressed that Azerbaijan views the human factor as central to technological progress, ensuring that innovative solutions are applied responsibly, transparently, and in accordance with human rights principles.
"The initiatives implemented under Azerbaijan's new digital architecture, the expansion of AI in public administration, and the development of national AI infrastructure demonstrate our country's strategic approach to modern challenges," the President noted. He also highlighted the successful implementation of "smart city" and "smart village" concepts in the liberated territories of Garabagh, which serve as a model for integrating innovative solutions with ecological sustainability to ensure human well-being and socio-economic reintegration.
The President concluded by expressing his confidence that the summit would contribute significantly to international cooperation, the exchange of best practices, and the promotion of human-centric, rights-based governance mechanisms.
The International Baku Summit of Ombudsmen serves as a critical platform for national human rights institutions to discuss the evolving role of ombudsmen in protecting fundamental freedoms amidst the rapid digital transformation and the increasing influence of AI on global governance.
