A five-day youth camp focused on smart cities, artificial intelligence and robotics has concluded in Azerbaijan's Shamakhi district as part of the Yay Fest 2026 festival. The "Modern Cities and Technology" camp, supported by the Youth Foundation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, aimed to strengthen young people's skills in urban planning, digital transformation and sustainable development, with AI's role in future cities a central theme.
Participants visited the monument to National Leader Heydar Aliyev in Shamakhi and laid flowers before starting the programme. The camp brought together representatives of government institutions and the private sector for discussions on urban development, reconstruction, security and emerging technologies.
AI and urban planning on the agenda
Sessions included "A New Vision for Urban Planning: Experience, Innovation and Inclusivity", "From Return to the Future: Security and Sustainable Development", "AI for Digital City" and "Smart Robots, Smart Future". Participants received briefings on reconstruction projects in Karabakh and East Zangezur, modern urban planning practices, mine risks and safe return, and the role of artificial intelligence in planning and managing future cities.
The programme also covered smart city solutions, robotics and emerging professions, giving participants a look at how technology could reshape urban life and the labour market.
Beyond the sessions
An interactive session by IDEA Public Union focused on environmental challenges and solutions amid rapid urbanisation. Participants also met Hasan Hasanov, an Azerbaijani statesman, diplomat and historian, to discuss the country's history and statehood traditions.
The educational programme was paired with practical activities: the "Your Idea: The City of the Future!" ideathon, the "KOD Karabakh" intellectual game, the "Revival" Urban Art workshop, an airsoft tactical game, an excursion to the Observatory Museum, sports competitions and team-building. Evenings featured music, dancing and conversations around a campfire.
Yay Fest 2026 continues
Organisers said the camp helped participants build skills for contemporary challenges, develop new perspectives on future cities and expand their networks. Yay Fest 2026, described as Azerbaijan's largest youth festival by participant numbers and duration, runs until September 4 with five more camps on science and ethics, engineering and coding, start-ups and entrepreneurship, and AI in sport and health.
The festival is supported by the Youth Foundation, with IDEA Public Union as a partner, and organised by a coalition of Azerbaijani youth organisations. The Youth Foundation has invited young people aged 18 to 25 to register through the Yay Fest website and take part in interviews for upcoming camps. Applicants who demonstrate active civic engagement get preference, and each participant may attend only one camp.
Why this matters for IT and development professionals
The camp's focus on AI for city planning and robotics reflects a broader shift toward data-driven urban infrastructure. For IT and development professionals, these are the skills increasingly in demand as municipalities and companies adopt smarter systems. Those looking to build or refresh these skills can browse the latest AI courses for practical training.
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