BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 17. The first camp of
Yay Fest 2026, titled "Digital State," has concluded successfully,
Azerbaijan's Youth Foundation said.
According to the foundation, this year's festival is dedicated
to artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and innovative
technologies, in line with the priorities outlined by President
Ilham Aliyev under the concept of Azerbaijan's new digital
architecture.
The opening "Digital State" camp brought together young people
from across the country, offering them opportunities to learn about
emerging technologies, develop digital skills, explore new
approaches to artificial intelligence and digital transformation,
and build professional networks.
The program featured presentations and discussions led by
leading journalists, university rectors, government officials, and
AI experts. Sessions covered topics including "Citizen of the
Future: Digital Literacy and Artificial Intelligence," "Demands and
Opportunities in the Digital Age," "Digital Government: Public
Services and Technological Transformation," "Artificial
Intelligence: The Skill of the Future," "Media in the Digital
World: New Challenges and Strategic Goals," and "The Human of the
Future: Skills or Diploma?"
Participants discussed the impact of digital technologies on
society, the application of AI across various sectors, the
development of digital public services, changes in the media
landscape, and the skills expected in the future workforce. The
sessions also included interactive discussions with experts.
The camp also featured networking and recreational activities,
including the "Colors of Yay Fest" workshop, a quiz competition,
sports events, board games, and a hiking program. Each day
concluded with DJ performances, stage shows presented by
participants, and campfire gatherings.
The festival, which will run through Sept. 4 and is expected to
attract more than 2,000 young participants, will also include seven
additional camps focusing on Media and Digital Literacy, Creative
AI, Modern Cities and Technology, Science, Ethics and the Future,
Engineering and Coding, Startups and Entrepreneurship, and AI,
Sports and Health.
Organizers said Yay Fest 2026, the country's largest youth
festival by participant numbers and duration, is supported by the
Azerbaijan Youth Foundation in partnership with IDEA Public Union
and several youth organizations.
The Azerbaijan Youth Foundation invited young people to register
for upcoming camps through the festival's official website at
http://yayfest.az/. Preference
will be given to socially active applicants aged 18 to 25, and each
participant may attend only one camp.
For updates and information on the festival's program,
organizers encouraged participants to follow Yay Fest's Instagram
page at www.instagram.com/yayfest.az/.
