The AI Forum 26 Program
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* Please note that the agenda may be subject to change as we finalize the program.
9:00 - 9:30 am
Registration
Coffee and light refreshments will be provided
Opening Ceremony
9:30 - 9:50 am
Host of the event:
Aytan Nabiyeva
Juris Doctor candidate at Loyola Law School. Compliance Specialist at The Walt Disney Company.
Welcome message :
Dr. Sevinj Mammadova
President of ANA
Assistant Dean for Global Initiatives, GWU
Dr. Aykhan Yusifov
President of AIM Projects
Assistant Professor of Biology at Niagara University
Keynote speaker :
Dr. Utkan Damirci
Professor, Stanford University
9:50 - 10:00 am
Family photo
10:00 - 11:00 am
Panel Discussion I.
From Knowledge to Societal Impact: Interdisciplinary Innovation in Education, Science, and Research
This panel explores how education systems and research ecosystems can move beyond knowledge generation to deliver meaningful, measurable societal impact in an increasingly digital and interconnected world. The discussion will highlight practical pathways for translating knowledge into solutions that advance economic development and societal well-being while addressing emerging challenges at the intersection of science, society, and digital transformation. Moderated by:
Dr. Sevinj Mammadova
President of ANA
Assistant Dean for Global Initiatives, GWU
Speakers:
Dr. Meg Holland
Associate Dean for Administration and Operations, GWU
Dr. Aynur Ismayil
Director of Smile Effect, University of Pennsylvania
Elnara Mammadova
PhD Candidate, Purdue University
Dr. Abbas Abbasov
Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Education Research and Policy Studies (CERPS), UTEP
Reyhan Rzayeva
Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Arlington
Break
10:50 - 11:00 am
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Panel Discussion II.
Biotechnology and Future of Public Health
Biotechnology is transforming public health through advances in genomics, multi-omics, and AI-driven diagnostics, enabling earlier detection, personalized care, and more effective prevention strategies. This panel will explore how these innovations can be translated into real-world impact in Azerbaijan. A key focus will be the role of academia as the foundation of a strong biotech ecosystem—training talent, driving high-quality research, and enabling the transition from discovery to application. The discussion will also address what is needed to create a healthy environment for industry development, including research infrastructure, funding, innovation-friendly policies, and stronger academic–industry partnerships.
By bringing together Azerbaijani scholars, the panel aims to identify practical pathways for leveraging biotechnology to improve public health while fostering a sustainable and competitive biotech sector in Azerbaijan.Moderated by:
Dr. Aykhan Yusifov
President of AIM Projects
Assistant Professor of Biology at Niagara University
Speakers:
Dr. Mohammad Kondri
Former commissioner of Life Sciences Industry , Consulate General of Canada
Dr. Nathan Volman
Chief Architect, DeepSight
Dr. Tathagato Roy
Founder, Third World VC
12:00 - 2:00 pm
Special session:
Elevating Azerbaijani Studies: Academic Pathways, Research, and Global Integration
2:10 - 3:10 pm
Panel Discussion III.
Economic Pivot in the Age of AI
In the age of intelligent machines, understanding the mechanisms of economic growth has become an urgent priority for policymakers. Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how knowledge is created, diffused, and applied—reshaping production, trade, and the organization of firms.
For developing economies, this shift presents a rare opportunity. By leveraging AI, countries can accelerate productivity growth, integrate into global value chains, and reposition themselves within the emerging architecture of the world economy. This panel will examine the economic implications of AI with a focus on how developing economies—particularly Azerbaijan—can harness these technologies to scale production networks, upgrade capabilities, and build more resilient and diversified growth models. Bringing together leading voices from academia and policy institutions, the discussion will explore practical pathways for translating AI adoption into sustained economic development, while addressing the institutional and strategic challenges that accompany this transformation.Moderated by:
Fikrat Valehli
Ph.D. Candidate, UC Irvine
Speakers:
Ergun Kirlikovali
President at Integrated Polymer Industries, Inc
Dr. Masood Parvania
Roger P. Webb Endowed Professor, U of U
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Wei Xiao
Director of Developer Relations, NVIDIA
Break
3:10 - 3:20 pm
4:20 - 4:30 pm
Panel Discussion IV.
Voices and Visions: Heritage, Identity, and Exchange
What does it mean to find—and share—your voice across cultures? This conversation brings together a scientist, a writer, and an emerging scholar to explore how personal identity and cultural heritage shape the ways we think, create, and connect. Through stories from their own journeys, the panelists will reflect on how they navigate life between cultures, how they make their work accessible to diverse audiences, and how they use their voices to share ideas, traditions, and perspectives with the world. Grounded in lived experience rather than theory, this session invites participants to consider how their own stories—whether expressed through research, teaching, or creative work—can build understanding, spark curiosity, and foster meaningful exchange.Moderated by:
Touran Waters
Director of Communications, George Washington Univertsity
Speakers:
Farida Buyuran
Author of Pomegranates and Saffron: A Culinary Journey to Azerbaijan
Dr. Murad Gafarov
Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science at Texas Wesleyan University
Ali Mammadov
PhD researcher, George Mason University.
Managing Editor, Center for Security Policy Studies
Helah Hassan
Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Texas-Arlington
Break
3:20 - 4:20 pm
4:30 - 5:30 pm
Panel Discussion V.
Zero to Scale: Emerging Technologies
The emerging technology landscape is moving quickly, with AI acting as a major accelerator across sectors. But the story is bigger than AI alone: advances across digital platforms, data infrastructure, automation, deep tech, and other frontier domains are redefining how innovation ecosystems form, grow, and compete. The journey from zero to scale is becoming faster, more connected, and more demanding, rewarding ecosystems that can align talent, research, capital, and execution.Moderated by:
Dr. Sarkhan Badirli
Co-Founder, Glacies Biome
Speakers:
Hanneke Krekels
Corporate Vice President, Global AI Markets at AMD
Emiliya Ahmadova
Head of Innovation & Research Center, Baku Higher Oil School
Tural Badirkhanli
Co-Founder, Solidshape
Bakhtiyar Neyman
Founder and CEO, Neurasium