The second day of the StrategEast State and IT Eurasian Forum in Baku brought together global and regional tech leaders to discuss the future of the digital economy and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping innovation, governance, and cross-border collaboration.
The day opened with the panel “Global IT Trends 2025: Navigating the AI Economy,” moderated by Tughra Musayeva, Head of Innovations at PASHA Holding LLC. The discussion featured insights from Marina Zhunich (Google Cloud), Kirill Sorokin (EY Azerbaijan), Amy Peck (EndeavorXR), Sabir Mardanov (Azercell Telecom LLC), and Ryan Wang (Outpost Capital, Solaris Venture Partners). Speakers explored how AI is transforming industries and investment landscapes across Eurasia.
Another key session, “Inclusive Digitalization of Central Eurasia: How Can Nations Complement Big Tech in Building Digital Sovereignty?” was moderated by Anatoly Motkin, President of StrategEast. Speakers Kamran Aghayev (Innovation and Digital Development Agency), Zixin L. Lin (Tony Blair Institute for Global Change), Chubak Temirov (High Technology Park of the Kyrgyz Republic), and Temur Khisamutdinov (IT Park Dushanbe) emphasized collaboration between governments, Big Tech, and local innovators to ensure inclusive digital transformation and data sovereignty.
The panel “The Rise of the Azerbaijani IT Sector — From Natural Resources to Algorithms,” moderated by Fidan Mirzayeva (PASHA Holding LLC), featured Yury Antaniuk (EPAM Systems), Valery Krasovsky (Sigma Software Group), and Dr. Fuad Karimov (Xsolla Azerbaijan), exploring how Azerbaijan is transforming into an innovation-driven digital hub.
In the session “Building a Connected Future: Middle East, Central Asia, and the Caucasus as a Single Digital Market,” moderated by Kate Bunina (Silicon Foundry, Qatar), experts including Ibrahim Nasibov (White Hill Capital), Walid Tarabih (Relik & PLATX), Khalid Al Tattan (Leaders Lane), and Yasser Biaz (Global Cyber Partners) shared perspectives on regional integration and investment cooperation.
Another discussion, “AI Policy Framework: Between Sovereignty and Standards,” moderated by Ana Chirita (ATIC, Tekwill), brought together Levan Darsalia (GITA, Georgia), Peter Bilyk (Juscutum, Ukraine), and Alexandru Gozun (PwC Moldova) to examine how governments can balance innovation with regulation and interoperability.
The day concluded with the panel “Digital Literacy and Skills in the Public Sector,” moderated by Lika Merabishvili, Regional Director for the Caucasus at StrategEast, focused on digital upskilling among public servants. Experts including Steffi Stallmeister (World Bank), Vera Ignatyeva (Coursera), Emiliya Ahmadova (Baku Higher Oil School), Inara Valiyeva (Baku Metro), and Aziza Vidadi (C4IR Azerbaijan) highlighted the importance of continuous learning and collaboration between governments and tech partners.
Day 2 of the Forum showcased Eurasia’s growing leadership in the global digital economy, anchored in cooperation, innovation, and a shared commitment to shaping the AI-driven future.
