The Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR Azerbaijan) under the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) organized a panel session titled “Accelerating the Energy Transition through Technological Transformation: AI-Driven Industry” within the framework of the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The panel session, moderated by Fariz Jafarov, Executive Director of the C4IR Azerbaijan, featured discussions on accelerating decarbonization in the industrial and energy sectors through the application of artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and Industry 4.0 solutions, as well as enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring sustainable development. Particular attention was given to the strategic importance of Industry 4.0 transformation for sectors where decarbonization remains technologically and economically complex.

Murad Abdullayev, Chief Digital Officer of SOCAR, highlighted the company’s focus on improving energy efficiency in operations and enhancing the reliability and safety of production processes. He also spoke about the digital solutions implemented to achieve these objectives, noting that effective integration between production systems and information technologies enables more accurate and timely decision-making.

Manju George, Head of Strategic Impact at the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution of the World Economic Forum, emphasized the importance of public–private cooperation and partnerships with global platforms in ensuring a sustainable energy transition. She noted that the development of digital industrial ecosystems is a key prerequisite for inclusive transformation.

Jukka Maksimainen, Partner at McKinsey & Company for the Northern Europe region, shared insights based on global experience in industrial energy transition, highlighting that alongside technology adoption, investment in human capital development is essential. He also stressed the importance of systematic and phased approaches for transitioning to low-carbon and digitally enabled industrial models.

Anant Maheshwari, President and CEO of Honeywell Global Regions, underlined the importance of AI-driven industrial solutions for optimizing costs and reducing emissions. He emphasized the role of data-driven decision-making in achieving successful transformation outcomes.

Concluding the session, Fariz Jafarov noted that the adoption of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in the industrial and energy sectors aligns with Azerbaijan’s national digital economy and energy transition agenda. He highlighted that expanding international cooperation and adopting advanced global practices will play a crucial role in ensuring the country’s long-term sustainable development.