The panel discussion on the theme "Digital Futures: AI, Governance, and Ethics of Innovation" was held as part of the 13th Global Baku Forum.

The panel was moderated by Sam Daws, Senior Advisor of the Oxford Martin AI Governance Initiative at University of Oxford.

In his remarks, Azerbaijan's Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev said that Azerbaijani government applies a flexible and sustainable governance model to support innovations in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and biotechnology.

According to him, Azerbaijan has adopted digital development, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence strategies, applying them in practice while regularly updating its legislation based on the experience.

“Currently, artificial intelligence is predominantly controlled by private enterprises, but it also exists within the executive branch of government. These private companies, however, bear no real responsibility towards governments,” said President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Tulia Ackson.

Speaking about the shortcomings of the current situation, the IPU President added: “The impact of artificial intelligence on democracy, democratic processes, and human rights must be taken into account. The issue of ‘deepfake’ technologies and their influence on people’s lives also comes to the fore. As parliamentarians, the main demand we put forward is transparency. We do not limit ourselves to merely stating it, we also seek to ensure that these processes do not negatively affect democratic processes and human rights.”

Silvana Koch-Mehrin, President and Founder of Women Political Leaders, stated that the artificial intelligence can be governed if governments build flexible and reliable regulatory mechanisms.

According to her, the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act serves as a global standard for AI governance.

Other speakers included Mari Kiviniemi, former Prime Minister of Finland; Milica Pejanovic-Durisic, former Minister of Defense of Montenegro; Mehdi Jomaa, former Prime Minister of Tunisia; Egils Levits, former President of Latvia; Vladimir Norov, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and Asmitha Satyarthi, CEO, Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion.