A press conference was held on the results of the activities of the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4SIM) under the Ministry of Economy for 2024 and the tasks ahead.
Fariz Jafarov, Executive Director of the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4SIM) under the Ministry of Economy, briefed media representatives on the projects implemented by the organization last year, the achieved results, and the planned activities.
It was stated that in 2024, 4SIM actively cooperated with international organizations operating in the field of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, facilitated coordination and exchange of experience in this area, contributed to the development of human capital, and promoted the application of innovative technologies. Additionally, it played an active role in analyzing and coordinating initiatives, strategies, and projects related to the digital economy, implementing several projects.
Development of competitive human capital. The pilot phase of the "4SI Academy" project, implemented jointly by 4SIM, the Education Development Fund under the Ministry of Science and Education, and the U.S. company Coursera, was successfully completed last year. The project aims to develop digital skills, enhance knowledge and competencies in advanced technologies, and support the preparation of qualified specialists for the labor market. Within the framework of the project, 10,000 participants were given the opportunity to access various Coursera online training courses free of charge over one year in a phased manner. Participants engaged in courses offered by prestigious universities and leading companies in fields such as artificial intelligence, big data, data analytics, blockchain, cloud technologies, leadership, communication, English language, and others. The total course viewing time exceeded 32,000 hours, and those who successfully completed the training received 4,300 international certificates. In 2024, the project was honored with Coursera's "Outstanding Achievement" award in the category of Artificial Intelligence Innovation.
This year, the “4SI Academy” National Program will continue and cover more citizens, along with over 8,000 courses available on the platform. Each participant will have access to these courses for six weeks. Registration for the National Program will begin next week. There are no age or other restrictions for participants.
In 2024, 4SIM collaborated with Apple to establish an Apple Authorized Training Center in our country. Additionally, it launched the "ArcGIS for Students" project with Esri, a global leader in geographic information systems. Furthermore, 4SIM partnered with Binance under the Binance Academy framework to advance expertise in blockchain, Web3, cryptography, and cryptocurrency. As part of these programs, various training sessions are being conducted, aiming to contribute to the preparation of specialized local professionals and trainers.
International experience exchange. Throughout 2024, 4SIM expanded its international cooperation within the framework of its partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF) in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, the Internet of Things and urban transformation, digital trade, and energy transition. As one of WEF’s 23 global centers, 4SIM participated as a partner in 18 different projects in these fields. Steps were taken to promote the adoption of green technologies and sustainable development. Within the framework of the “AI Solutions in Energy” project, 40 solution concepts were developed in collaboration with local partners in the country. A pilot project was launched to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in office buildings and enterprises through AI applications. A joint report on the project's achievements was published on the WEF platform.
Encouraging the adoption of technologies. Last year, within the framework of the Industry 4.0 Readiness Program, the digital diagnostics of several enterprises were conducted. The readiness level of these enterprises for digital transformation was assessed, and corresponding roadmaps were developed. It is planned that 4SIM will support the digital transformation of 15 more enterprises in 2025 and 650 enterprises by 2030.
Support for the Startup and Innovation Ecosystem. In 2024, 4SIM was one of the main partners of the "InMerge Innovation Summit" and "Baku ID (Baku Investment Day)" events. These events facilitated collaborations between various government agencies and the private sector to develop the innovation ecosystem, while also discussing initiatives for the implementation of new technologies.
In total, throughout 2024, 4SIM has developed solutions aimed at applying 4SIM technologies in various sectors of the national economy, including services, transportation, and sports.
4SIM has launched the implementation of the "Industry 4.0 Center" project in our country to support the large-scale transformation of the industry through automation, big data, and technological innovations. This center will play a comprehensive hub and unified ecosystem role for digital transformation in Azerbaijan, accelerating the digital transformation of companies.
As part of COP29, a "Sustainable Development Leaders' Meeting" was held with the participation of nearly 100 local and global leaders, alongside a roundtable discussion with the Earth Observation Community. Additionally, side events and panel sessions were organized, including those with international experts on "Reducing the Environmental Impacts of Artificial Intelligence and Contributing to Sustainable Development" and "Artificial Intelligence: Technological Forecasting and the New Era of Management in Digital Economy."
Awareness. In 2024, alongside the initiatives "4SIM Talks" and "4SIM Discussion Platform," workshops and seminars were held in the field of Industry 4.0, and educational programs were implemented through the media. More than 40 events were organized in collaboration with partners.
Over the course of the year, more than 200 students have completed internships in various projects of the organization. In 2024, the first ICT-specialized job fair was held in the country, offering young people more than 500 vacancies and numerous internship programs.
