01
Government AI Solution of the Year
To recognize AI solutions that improve public services, public administration and digital interaction between citizens and institutions.
ZƏKANational AI Award · Azerbaijan
ZƏKA 2026 nominations
Five core nominations for AI projects, teams, startups and creators that create measurable real-world impact.
AwardZƏKA / AI Awards Azerbaijan 2026
Application periodAugust 20 – September 30, 2026
CeremonyOctober 15, 2026
LanguagesAZ / EN / RU
Nominations
Five core nominations
Each nomination has its own purpose, participant profile and evaluation focus. This guide helps applicants choose the most relevant nomination.
02
Private AI Solution of the Year
To evaluate commercial AI solutions that improve business results, customer experience and operational efficiency.
03
AI Startup of the Year
To highlight early-stage startups that turn AI into the core value of the product and demonstrate growth and investment potential.
04
AI Creator of the Year
To recognize individuals who use AI tools creatively, ethically and effectively to create new content, visual language, media formats or public value.
05
Tech Xəbər Choice
To distinguish projects, people and initiatives that make a special contribution to the AI ecosystem, create public value or do not fully fit standard nominations.
Government AI
Government AI Solution of the Year
To recognize AI solutions that improve public services, public administration and digital interaction between citizens and institutions.
Who it is for
Government bodies, public legal entities, municipalities, teams building solutions for public services and AI projects implemented in the public sector.
Evaluation criteria
- Real citizen value and measurable improvement in service quality
- Data security, ethical use and transparent decision support
- Implementation maturity, scalability and integration into public processes
- Savings in time, resources and operational costs
Eligible project examples
- AI routing and prioritization of citizen requests
- Automated processing of public documents
- Smart city, transport and environment monitoring
- AI assistant for e-government services
Private sector AI
Private AI Solution of the Year
To evaluate commercial AI solutions that improve business results, customer experience and operational efficiency.
Who it is for
Companies and technology partners in banking, insurance, telecom, retail, logistics, industry, healthcare, education and other private-sector fields.
Evaluation criteria
- Commercial impact, revenue growth and cost optimization
- Real contribution of AI to the core value of the solution
- Customer experience, reliability and scale of use
- Data quality, security and sustainable architecture
Eligible project examples
- AI agent or intelligent chatbot
- Fraud detection and risk scoring
- Demand forecasting and inventory optimization
- Enterprise AI automation platform
AI Startup
AI Startup of the Year
To highlight early-stage startups that turn AI into the core value of the product and demonstrate growth and investment potential.
Who it is for
AI startups, founder teams and spin-off projects at MVP, pilot, launched product or clear prototype stage.
Evaluation criteria
- Relevance of the problem and suitability of the AI approach
- Product functionality, user need and market size
- Execution capability and development strategy
- Scalability, monetization and investment attractiveness
Eligible project examples
- AI-based SaaS, mobile app or API product
- Generative AI or agent AI platform
- AI startup for industry, media, education or finance
- AI product with pilot customers
AI Creator
AI Creator of the Year
To recognize individuals who use AI tools creatively, ethically and effectively to create new content, visual language, media formats or public value.
Who it is for
Content creators, designers, directors, journalists, educators, artists, musicians, bloggers and individual professionals working creatively with AI.
Evaluation criteria
- Originality of the idea and depth of creative AI use
- Content quality, aesthetics and audience impact
- Ethical disclosure, authorial approach and responsible use
- New format, experience or knowledge distribution through AI
Eligible project examples
- AI-generated video, visual, audio or article
- AI content series popularizing science and technology
- Generative AI design or media campaign
- Project teaching the use of AI tools
Editorial choice
Tech Xəbər Choice
To distinguish projects, people and initiatives that make a special contribution to the AI ecosystem, create public value or do not fully fit standard nominations.
Who it is for
Teams, individuals, researchers, community initiatives, educational projects and innovative work in AI that deserves editorial attention.
Evaluation criteria
- Special importance and public resonance for the AI ecosystem
- Innovative approach, story value and example-setting potential
- Bridge between technology, business and society
- Editorially relevant, verified and presentable outcome
Eligible project examples
- AI awareness or community initiative
- Strong-impact project outside standard nominations
- Work developing public AI discussion and culture
- Initiative selected through editorial analysis
Evaluation focus
What do jurors evaluate?
Although nominations differ, every application is reviewed for its real AI component, implementation level, impact and reliability.
AI component
A real and explainable role of AI in the core value of the solution.
Implementation
Evidence of prototype, pilot, working product or real usage results.
Impact
Measurable value for users, business, public services, industry or society.
Reliability
Security, data quality, ethical use and sustainable technical approach.
Scalability
Potential for growth, repeat implementation and expansion.
Presentation
Clear, professional and verifiable presentation of the problem, solution and results.
Eligibility
Choosing the right nomination
Applicants may participate in one or several nominations. The organizers may review nomination fit and recommend a more suitable nomination.
Pre-application checklist
- The project includes a real AI, machine learning, generative AI, computer vision, NLP or agent AI component.
- The project, team or impact is connected to the Azerbaijan ecosystem.
- Submitted materials explain the project substance, implementation level and results.
- The application does not include invented results, fake users, fake wins or unverified partnerships.
Official process
Timeline and selection stages
Nomination results are determined through the multi-stage process described in the official rules.
01
Application period
Applications are accepted across all nominations and initial eligibility is reviewed.
02
Public voting
Nominees are presented to the public, and audience support is measured.
03
Jury evaluation
Projects are evaluated by novelty, impact, execution and nomination fit.
04
Experts Council
Expert evaluation and the results of the overall process are considered.
05
Award ceremony
Winners are announced at JW Marriott Absheron Baku, Şərq Hall.
Full participation rules are presented on a separate official page. View rules
Application status
Applications opened on August 20, 2026
Applicants can prepare their nomination fit rationale, project description, demo materials and measurable results in advance.
Application period: August 20 – September 30, 2026. Nomination fit may be reviewed by the organizers.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Key questions about applying for nominations and the selection process.
Can one project be submitted to several nominations?
Yes. A project may be submitted to several nominations when there is a logical basis. Organizers may review fit and recommend the most relevant nomination.
Is Tech Xəbər Choice an open application nomination?
This nomination may be formed through editorial review and special contribution to the ecosystem. A project may be submitted, but the final choice depends on editorial and organizational evaluation.
Is a working product required?
It depends on the nomination. For startup nominations, a prototype or MVP may be acceptable, but the AI component, implementation level and results must be clearly shown.
Is it free to apply?
Yes. Applications for nominations are free.
Where are the full rules?
The official participation rules, process framework and evaluation mechanism are available on the Rules page.