MDDT and SpaceXAI Sign MoU on Artificial Intelligence Cooperation

The Ministry of Digital Development and Transport (MDDT) and SpaceXAI have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI) solutions and related digital technologies.

The document envisages exploring opportunities to deploy AI solutions developed using SpaceXAI’s Grok models in public services and other priority areas of Azerbaijan’s digital transformation. The main objective is to develop higher-quality, more accessible and more efficient public services.

The Memorandum will not be limited to a single area of application and will cover all government agencies. The parties will jointly assess opportunities for the use of AI and consider the broader deployment of successful solutions across the public sector.

The signing ceremony held in Baku was attended by Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Hasanov and a delegation from SpaceXAI, including Dustin Yelinek, Head of Global Government Affairs for Latin America; Reem Sadek, Head of Global Affairs and Market Development for the Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye; and Neil Perkins, Head of Go-to-Market for Global Government Affairs.

Deputy Minister Rashad Hasanov said that Azerbaijan has already moved beyond discussing AI to its implementation, and partners in this area are selected based on the contribution they can make to the process. SpaceXAI has advanced AI models and extensive engineering capabilities. The Memorandum provides a framework for exploring how these capabilities can be used to improve services across various areas, ranging from the internal operations of government agencies to citizens’ access to services through “mygov”, and to examine the deployment of such solutions within our national digital infrastructure.

Dustin Yelinek, Head of Global Government Affairs for Latin America, said: “We are pleased to partner with the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport to bring Grok to government and help deliver faster, higher-quality services to citizens.”

Building Knowledge and Expertise: Strengthening Azerbaijan’s AI Capacity

The parties have also agreed to cooperate in strengthening local capacity, sharing knowledge and expertise, and developing relevant skills. The aim is to ensure that AI solutions contribute to Azerbaijan’s long-term national digital development objectives.

Next Step: From Pilot Projects to Wider Deployment

A roadmap for the next stages of cooperation will be developed. This will include pilot projects, technical demonstrations, and engagement with stakeholders. These activities will lay the groundwork for the wider deployment of successful solutions in the future. All cooperation will be carried out in accordance with advanced security measures and modern data protection protocols. Each specific project will be implemented under a separate agreement between the parties.

The Memorandum is aligned with the objectives of the “Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2025–2028”, the “Action Plan for 2026–2028 on Accelerating Digital Development”, as well as the Ministry’s efforts to build a modern, citizen-centred and data-driven public sector.