Iran’s President Proposes Regional AI Hub to Accelerate ECO’s Digital Future

President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian has proposed the establishment of a regional artificial intelligence center within the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), highlighting the urgency for member states to embrace digital innovation.

Speaking at the 17th ECO Summit in Azerbaijan’s Khankendi, Pezeshkian warned that without timely preparation for the digital transformation, ECO countries risk lagging behind in the rapidly evolving global economy, The Caspian Post reports via local media.

“New technologies and artificial intelligence are reshaping the economic landscape. We propose creating a specialized regional AI center under the auspices of ECO to ensure our countries remain competitive,” he said.

In addition to digital initiatives, the Iranian president underscored the importance of enhancing transport infrastructure to better connect internal and interregional routes.

“Iran and its transit neighbors play a pivotal role in this process. Developing robust logistics networks and maintaining international standards at borders and ports are critical to our success,” Pezeshkian emphasized.

The 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is being held in the city of Khankendi on July 4.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, welcomed the heads of state and government, as well as delegation leaders participating in the 17th ECO Summit.

Following the welcoming ceremony, a group photo was taken.

President Aliyev delivered a speech at the Summit.

The Summit also featured a speech by Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.