The 8th edition of the "Government AI Readiness Index," prepared by the international research center Oxford Insights, has been published. According to the 2025 results, Azerbaijan ranks 69th globally.

Aygun Ahmadova, Acting Head of the Digital Trade Hub at the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC), stated that the Government AI Readiness Index is now considered one of the most referenced documents for measuring government preparedness on the global AI agenda. It serves as a benchmarking and orientation tool for governments and international platforms such as the G20.

The expansion of the methodology in the latest edition required measuring both AI-specific and broader economic and institutional indicators, depending on government priorities. Consequently, the framework now includes indicators across various policy instruments, economic measures, and regulatory approaches. For instance, while some countries prioritize establishing a legal framework, others aim to achieve similar public goals through "soft law" mechanisms.

Unlike previous years, the 2025 assessment was conducted across six main pillars. An analysis of the sub-indicators shows that Azerbaijan has maintained stability, particularly in Governance and Public Sector Adoption of AI.

The results by sub-indicators are as follows:

• Policy Capacity: Remained stable at 53.50 points;

• AI Infrastructure: Increased from 46.21 to 51.45 points;

• Governance: Rose from 50.00 to 60.00 points;

• Public Sector Adoption: Remained unchanged at 66.97 points;

• Development & Diffusion: Increased from 34.73 to 36.08 points;

• Resilience: Saw a slight decrease from 58.27 to 56.35 points.

The 2025 edition of the Oxford Insights index aimed to answer a new research question: "To what extent can the government mobilize AI for the public good?" This approach allows for an evaluation of how states utilize AI in various forms for citizen welfare. This includes everything from public services to applications in education and healthcare, as well as the government's role in developing the skills and expert potential necessary for the 21st-century digital economy.

Aygun Ahmadova emphasized that the strategic documents adopted in Azerbaijan in recent years to accelerate AI development and digital transformation align with these international criteria. Key examples include the tasks defined in the "Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2025–2028," as well as the targets for data-driven decision-making, strengthening digital infrastructure, and sectoral transformation outlined in the "Strategy for the Development of the Digital Economy in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026–2029." The parallel and coordinated implementation of these strategic frameworks creates a vital foundation for strengthening Azerbaijan's global standing.