Israel and Azerbaijan Sign Artificial Intelligence Agreement to Boost Cooperation

Israel and Azerbaijan have taken a new step in strengthening their strategic ties by signing an Israel Azerbaijan artificial intelligence agreement aimed at expanding cooperation in advanced technologies. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed on February 3, 2026, in Jerusalem, according to a statement from Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

The deal highlights the growing importance of artificial intelligence in national development and international partnerships, as countries increasingly invest in AI infrastructure, research, and workforce training.

AI Memorandum Signed in Jerusalem With Netanyahu Present

The MOU was signed by Gen. (res.) Erez Eskel, head of Israel’s National Artificial Intelligence Directorate, and Rashad Nabiyev, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport. The signing took place in the presence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the PMO said.

In its announcement, the PMO noted that Israel and Azerbaijan “intend to deepen their ongoing alliance through artificial intelligence,” signaling that the agreement is not only about technology but also about broader strategic cooperation.

What the Israel-Azerbaijan AI Agreement Includes

According to the PMO, the Israel Azerbaijan artificial intelligence agreement will focus on several major areas designed to strengthen long-term collaboration:

1) Supercomputing and Advanced AI Infrastructure

One of the key pillars of the partnership is cooperation on supercomputing infrastructure. This includes the high-performance computing resources needed to train and run modern AI systems.

Supercomputing capacity has become a major national priority worldwide, as large AI models require massive computing power and specialized infrastructure.

2) AI Applications in Critical Civilian Sectors

The agreement also emphasizes using AI in critical civilian sectors, which may include areas such as:

• healthcare and medical systems

• transportation and logistics

• energy management

• public services and government operations

• emergency response and civil safety systems

While the statement did not list specific projects, the focus suggests both countries are aiming to apply AI where it can deliver measurable public value.

3) Human Capital and Talent Development

Another major component is investment in human capital, including education, training, and building a strong workforce capable of developing and managing AI systems.

AI development depends not only on hardware and software but also on skilled engineers, researchers, data scientists, and policy professionals.

 4) Joint Research and Collaboration

The MOU includes plans for joint research, which could lead to shared innovation, academic partnerships, and cross-border technology programs.

Joint research agreements often help countries pool expertise, accelerate innovation, and create new commercial opportunities.

Netanyahu: “We Can Do Much More Together”

At the event, Netanyahu highlighted the importance of staying competitive in AI and suggested the partnership could help both countries achieve more than they could independently.

“We must ensure that we are among the leading countries in this field, and I think we can do much more, and do it better, together,” Netanyahu said.

His remarks reflect the growing belief among governments that AI leadership is becoming central to economic strength, security planning, and future competitiveness.

Part of Israel’s Expanding International AI Strategy

This agreement comes shortly after Israel signed a joint declaration on artificial intelligence with the United States, which the PMO described as the first such AI declaration Washington has signed with another country.

The Israel-Azerbaijan memorandum appears to be another step in Israel’s wider effort to build international AI partnerships, especially in areas like infrastructure, research, and applied innovation.

For broader context on global AI policy developments, readers can also refer to the OECD’s AI policy and governance resources, which track how countries are shaping AI strategies and regulation:
External link: OECD AI Policy Observatory (authoritative) — https://oecd.ai/

Why This AI Partnership Matters

The Israel Azerbaijan artificial intelligence agreement is significant for several reasons:

• It strengthens bilateral ties through high-value technology cooperation

• It prioritizes infrastructure such as supercomputing, a key bottleneck in AI growth

• It focuses on civilian applications that can impact everyday life and public services

• It promotes long-term capacity building through education and research

As artificial intelligence becomes more deeply integrated into national systems, agreements like this one may shape how innovation, governance, and economic growth evolve in both countries.