Hakima Shiralizade is an experienced artificial intelligence researcher based in Stockholm, Sweden. She specializes in explainable AI in telecommunications, uncertainty quantification in neural networks, and reliable AI systems. Her work focuses on developing and evaluating AI systems in line with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and emerging AI governance frameworks.

Hakima Shiralizade leads the risk analysis working group for AI systems in the telecommunications sector at Ericsson AB. She also serves as Sweden’s national expert contributing to the standardization process under the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act), with a particular focus on high-risk AI applications.

Hakima Shiralizade holds bachelor’s degrees in Business Statistics and Economics from Baku State University and Middle East Technical University. She earned her master’s degree in Strategy and Management in International Organizations from Linköping University.

Laman Ibrahimova is the Head of ASAN AI Hub and Advisor to the Director at the Innovations Center under the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Under her leadership, ASAN AI Hub advances an open innovation model based on real-world challenges, bringing together AI researchers, public institutions, the private sector, and individual users within a unified digital ecosystem.

She has extensive experience in public sector innovation. While pursuing her Master’s degree in Public Policy at the University of Oxford, she conducted research on the responsible use of AI in the public sector in collaboration with the University of Sheffield.

She was included in the “Government AI 100 – 2026” global list by Apolitical.

Rashad Zalov has extensive professional experience in strategic management, planning, and institutional development in the public sector. His work focuses on strategic planning, the implementation of innovations, institutional development, and promoting modern management approaches within the public sector.

Through participation in international training and professional development programs, Rashad Zalov continuously expands his knowledge and expertise in modern public administration and innovative approaches. In this area, he has participated in various training and professional development programs organized by Apolitical, covering the application of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in public administration.

He also completed the “AI Leadership” course organized by the Stanford University School of Engineering – Center for Global & Online Education, expanding his knowledge of the application of artificial intelligence in leadership, management, and organizational transformation.

His professional work is focused on advancing strategic thinking, promoting innovation-driven approaches, and integrating modern technologies into public administration.

Farhad Karimov is an expert in IT and systems.

He has contributed to projects focused on the implementation of digital services and innovative solutions, as well as the development of IT infrastructure in the public and private sectors.

He has more than 15 years of experience in information technology and systems. He has served as Head of the IT Department at the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan and as Deputy Head of the E-Services and Innovation Department at the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Energy at Azerbaijan State Oil Academy and a master’s degree in Enterprise IT Management from the University of Essex, United Kingdom. He is a Microsoft Valuable Professional and an official Microsoft trainer.

His professional work focuses on artificial intelligence, digital transformation, the development of innovation ecosystems, and the application of scientific research.

He studied Applied Mathematics and Mathematical Informatics at Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University and holds a PhD in Technical Sciences.

Elviz Ismayilov specializes in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. He is the author of more than 30 scientific articles and 2 books, with 10 of his articles indexed in the Scopus database. He has mentored more than 50 startups, served as a mentor to Teknofest winners, organized a number of hackathons, and participated in 3 Erasmus, 1 Horizon, and 1 EIF project.

Ernesto Brodersohn – Coordinator and Senior Specialist, Technical Commission on Information and Communication Technology, International Social Security Association (ISSA)

Nazila Hashimzade is an expert in ICT, digital transformation, GovTech, and innovation.

Under her leadership, the DOST Agency implements projects focused on the digitalization of public and social services, optimization of work processes, and the adoption of e-Governance approaches. Her work also includes exploring opportunities to apply artificial intelligence technologies in social services and developing innovative technological solutions.

She is one of the first women professionals to work in the ICT sector in Azerbaijan, having entered the field during its early development in the country. She has contributed to the management of global projects in the oil and banking sectors in the field of systems integration. She previously served as Head of the Information Technology Department at the DOST Agency.

Nazila Hashimzade graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics of Azerbaijan State University and completed postgraduate studies at the Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan. She is one of the co-founders of Femmes Digitales.

Yusuf Alper is a specialist in social security systems and labor relations. His professional work focuses on social security policy development, contributing to the legislative process, and preparing strategic reports for social partners.

He chaired the Special Commission on Social Security under Türkiye’s Development Plans and contributed to the social security reform process. He has also led the preparation of strategic reports on social security for the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) and several trade unions.

Yusuf Alper is an official mediator of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of Türkiye, and the founder and Vice Chair of the Academic Social Security Platform. He currently continues his academic career as a professor at Bursa Uludağ University. He is the author of numerous articles and books on social security.

He has extensive experience in information technology and cybersecurity. He began his professional career as an engineer at Azerbaijan Data Network (ADaNet QSC), one of Azerbaijan’s first internet service providers, and later rose to the position of Executive Director. He has contributed to the development of internet services in the country and the expansion of their accessibility.

Murad Asgarzade has been involved in the development and implementation of socially oriented ICT projects. With the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), he led the development of the technological concept and architecture of information centers established in Baku and the regions for people with disabilities, particularly people with visual impairments. He also led a project to develop a speech synthesis solution for converting texts and internet resources into spoken Azerbaijani.

He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Faculty of Automation and Computer Engineering at Azerbaijan Technical University. He also has additional professional education in psychology.