AGP Executive Report

AI Safety Debate: New warnings from Anthropic and others are reigniting fears that advanced AI could escape human control, while US politics adds fuel as Trump dismisses AI guardrails. Cyber Influence: Researchers say a Russian deepfake campaign is targeting US midterms with celebrity video fakes made from stolen footage and bot-driven spread. Georgia Leadership: Luka Ekhvaia has been appointed Head of the Administration of the President of Georgia, bringing an international-relations research background. Regional Tech & Infrastructure: Moody’s says the Middle Corridor is boosting growth across the Caucasus and Central Asia, pointing to investments in data centers, fiber networks, and computing infrastructure. Energy & Connectivity: A report notes Russian fossil-fuel exports remain resilient despite drone strikes, with major buyers including China, India, and Turkey. Mapping for Fairness: The UN backs “equal area” world maps to better reflect landmass sizes, challenging the dominance of Mercator-style views.

Space Policy: Georgia joined three declarations at the International Space Summit in Paris—on outer space safety and sustainability, Copernicus, and space science data—signaling Tbilisi’s push to stay involved in European space decision-making despite limited domestic capacity. AI & Education: Business and Technology University marked its 10th anniversary, highlighting AI integration across teaching and research, including BTUAI and UNESCO-recognized AI4Globe. Green Agriculture Tech: AzTU vice-rector Fariz Mammadov spoke at an ADB-backed seminar in Uzbekistan on launching a CAREC Regional Center for Green Agriculture online platform and a new academic module for green, climate-resilient, digital farming. Regional Mobility Data: Wego reported resilient Middle East travel demand in early 2026 despite disruptions, with Egypt staying top searched destination and notable gains for Nepal, China, Vietnam, Sudan and Kenya. Local Tech/Business: BTU’s anniversary also emphasized its growth in programs, international projects, and industry-linked entrepreneurship.

Space Policy: Georgia joined three declarations at the International Space Summit in Paris, signing on to outer space safety and sustainability, Copernicus, and space science data—Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze says it keeps Tbilisi engaged in European space decision-making despite limited local resources. Film & Tech Culture: Georgia’s Guria (Levan Koguashvili) was picked as the country’s Academy Awards submission for Best International Feature Film, selected by a national film center committee. AI Governance: In a separate global tech policy story, AP reports Trump downplayed the need to “check” AI development, saying the U.S. should stay ahead of China while still calling for “some regulation” without details. Regional Mobility: South Ossetia’s acting leader Marat Kambolov says the border with Georgia can’t open yet for transit, citing security and missing regulatory framework.

Energy Security: Kazakhstan is pushing a major upgrade to its oil export strategy as disruptions on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium route and tanker attacks expose how dependent exports are on the Black Sea corridor. Regional Tech & Startups: Central Eurasia’s Road to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2026 winners—Cerberus, WeGlobal AI, and LOOQ—will pitch at TechCrunch Disrupt, signaling growing AI and health/enterprise/cyber momentum across the region. Public Health & Training: Strata Mental Health Solutions won a U.S. provider training grant from Compass Pathways to prepare clinicians for COMP360 (psilocybin) if approved, focusing on regulated, team-based care. Education Metrics: A new OECD/PISA report says reading and math performance among 15-year-olds has fallen to record lows in many wealthy countries, with more students landing in low-performing bands. Local Governance (Border): South Ossetia’s acting leader says the region isn’t ready to open a Georgia transit border yet, citing security and missing regulatory groundwork. Tech Culture: Today also marks Programmer’s Day and World Sepsis Day, highlighting software innovation and early infection response.

Tesla Charging Hack Abroad: A Belarusian Tesla owner upgraded his car for fast charging by buying a board, switching to NACS-to-CCS2 via an adapter, and packing NACS/Type2 cables plus a portable home charger—turning a stressful trip into a workable long-distance plan. Energy Security Shock: A new analysis says Russia’s refinery output is being hit hard by drone attacks, forcing it to import refined gasoline instead; despite lower volumes, revenues held up as prices rose. Education Metrics Drop: OECD/PISA results show reading and math declines across wealthy countries, with more teens landing in low-performing bands—an issue Georgia’s education system is also watching closely. Fintech & Customer Tech in Armenia: Ameriabank showcased digital customer-experience tools at 4Future Banking, including contact-center automation and a reported 75% NPS. E-commerce Risk for Georgia: EPRC warns Wildberries’ expansion in Georgia could expose local brands, consumers, and banks to Kremlin-linked, sanctioned logistics and infrastructure. AI-Influence Threat: A report describes AI-cloned celebrity videos used in a disinformation push aimed at swaying midterm voters.

Startup Ecosystem: Central Eurasia’s Road to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2026 regional final crowned Cerberus, WeGlobal AI, and LOOQ, sending them to TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco. Fintech & CX: Ameriabank showcased digital customer-experience tools at Armenia’s 4Future Banking conference, including contact-center automation and a reported 75% NPS. Cybersecurity: A SecurityWeek roundup flags new attack paths like invisible Unicode tricks that slip past phishing filters and a critical WordPress Super Forms flaw being actively exploited. E-commerce Risk for Georgia: The Economic Policy Research Center warns Wildberries expansion in Georgia could create sanctions, financial, reputational, and security risks, citing damaged warehouses and Wildberries Bank sanctions. Privacy Debate: Georgia’s tech-policy audience may care about the wider ALPR fight: the Security Industry Association defends automated license plate readers while pushing for stronger privacy safeguards and limits on misuse. Local Tech Community: Tbilisi’s Wrecked Summit (Sept 20) will focus on “Built From Failure” stories across tech, product, and entrepreneurship.

Georgian Tech & Innovation: Ameriabank showcased digital customer-experience upgrades at Armenia’s 4Future Banking conference, citing a 75% NPS and contact-center automation using integrated systems. Startup Ecosystems: Central Eurasia’s Road to TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2026 picked Cerberus, WeGlobal AI, and LOOQ to pitch at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco. Public Policy & Security: Georgia’s Economic Policy Research Center warns that Wildberries’ expansion in Georgia could create sanctions, financial, reputational, and security risks, pointing to damaged warehouses in late August and the role of Wildberries Bank under sanctions. Health Tech: Strata Mental Health Solutions received a U.S. healthcare provider training grant from Compass Pathways to develop training for COMP360, if approved. Regional Space Ambitions: Armenia says it plans to launch at least three satellites and build ground infrastructure as it expands national space capabilities. Tech Governance Debate: The Security Industry Association defends automated license plate readers, calling for stronger privacy safeguards while opposing warrant-free mass surveillance framing.

Armenia’s Space Push: Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says Armenia will launch at least three satellites in 2026–2031—two for Earth observation and one for telecom—while building its own ground infrastructure and distributed station network to manage and analyze satellite data. Georgia Tech Ecosystem: TBC Tech backed Tester’s Day 2026 in Tbilisi, where QA leaders discussed AI-enabled quality engineering and next-gen test automation. Cartography Meets Politics: The UN General Assembly backed a new “Equal Earth” world map approach after Africa-led lobbying, with the US the only country opposing; Georgia abstained, while some states raised concerns over how disputed territories are shown. Regional Tech & Industry: Azerbaijan opened a modern paper and hygiene products plant in Garadagh using automated equipment from Germany, Italy and Türkiye, with plans to export across the region. Media Under Pressure: A report highlights Georgia’s independent journalists facing severe funding cuts and attacks, with a new network formed to keep outlets alive. Space Diplomacy in the Caucasus: Georgian PM Irakli Kobakhidze attended Armenia’s International Space Summit events in Paris alongside European leaders. AI Influence Operations: Anthropic says it found nine influence operations using Claude, including state-aligned attempts to spread political content via paid “commercial actors.” Education Pipeline: Georgia’s biotechnology camp in Svaneti trained 100 teens (15–17) in biotech and programming, with prototype and startup idea pitches at the end.

AI Security & Influence Ops: Anthropic says it found nine foreign influence operations using Claude, including Russian and Iranian state-aligned efforts to spread political content via “commercial actors.” Armenian Space Push: Armenia’s PM Nikol Pashinyan outlined a 2026–2031 satellite expansion at an International Space Summit in Paris, aiming for at least three satellites plus domestic ground control and a distributed ground-station network; Local Tech Community: Tbilisi hosted Tester’s Day 2026 with TBC Tech support, focusing on AI-enabled quality engineering and next-gen test automation. Education & Skills: PISA 2025 coverage highlights Georgia’s relative performance versus Armenia and Azerbaijan, while Georgia’s education ministry reports improvements across key areas. Biotech Pipeline: Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency ran a 6-day biotechnology camp in Svaneti for 100 teenagers, including programming and prototype-building. Regional Tech/Industry: Azerbaijan opened a highly automated paper and hygiene products plant near Garadagh, with exports planned to Georgia and beyond. Tech Governance: A report on outdated broadcast equipment in South Ossetia points to infrastructure gaps affecting public information.

PISA & STEM Skills: Armenia’s students posted very low results in the OECD PISA 2025 test, with almost no top performers in science and reading, and Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey ranking ahead—prompting calls for faster education reform and better lab access. Retail Tech in Tbilisi: PSP opened its third pharmacy in Tbilisi under a new concept, adding a diagnostic mirror that scans facial skin and delivers personalized recommendations via QR or email, plus interactive product shelves. Archaeology in the Capital: Roadworks on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi uncovered a 10th-century pottery cache, turning a traffic disruption into a major find for local archaeology. Local Research Capacity: Georgia Southern University highlighted its National Tick Collection, a Smithsonian-linked resource used worldwide for tick taxonomy and genetics research. Security Tech Oversight: A U.S. town hall in Gwinnett County addressed concerns over Flock license-plate cameras after alleged misuse, with changes to retention and search rules. Industrial Expansion: Azerbaijan’s Fabriora Group opened a paper and hygiene products plant in Garadagh, using automated tech and planning exports including to Georgia. Regional Connectivity Watch: Reports say Russia is exploring a Trans-Altai railway to link freight directly with China, aiming to ease pressure on existing Middle Corridor routes.

Space & Science Diplomacy: Georgian PM Irakli Kobakhidze is set to attend France’s first International Space Summit, with a focus on space research, science, and security. Archaeology in Tbilisi: Roadworks on Rustaveli Avenue uncovered a 10th-century pottery cache, turning a city upgrade into a major find. Tech in Retail Healthcare: PSP opened its third Tbilisi pharmacy under a new concept, featuring a diagnostic mirror that analyzes facial skin via camera software and delivers personalized recommendations through QR/email. Education Metrics: Georgia’s 2025 PISA results show gains in science, math, and reading, but reading comprehension remains a weak spot. Infrastructure & Culture: The Municipal Development Fund announced a third attempt to tender design work for rehabilitating the Tbilisi Philharmonic, including modern stage tech, accessibility upgrades, and safety systems. Regional Connectivity Policy: Armenia’s former security chief Armen Grigoryan joined PMCG as a senior adviser, already working on TRIPP feasibility to improve connectivity through Armenia.

Space & Research Diplomacy: Georgian PM Irakli Kobakhidze is heading to France for the first International Space Summit, with a focus on space research, science, security and defense, and coordination among partners. Public Infrastructure & Culture: The Municipal Development Fund has relaunched a tender for the third time to rehabilitate the Tbilisi Philharmonic (Concert Hall), now estimated at 6.5 million GEL, including stage upgrades, accessibility improvements, modernized utilities, acoustics, and safety systems. Digital Trade & Logistics: The Middle Corridor gets a tech boost: Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan completed a cross-Caspian pilot using eTIR for a single electronic transit document across borders, aiming to cut paperwork friction. Energy & Climate: Azerbaijan’s Caspian shipping is feeling the Caspian Sea’s retreat—ferries may carry only about 80% of normal cargo, with dredging and berth upgrades becoming costlier. Civic Space & Law: The Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner Michael O’Flaherty submitted observations in Georgia’s FARA-style case, urging a safe environment for civil society and highlighting concerns about restrictions on NGOs and media. Cybercrime: A Russian web developer, extradited from Georgia, pleaded not guilty in Atlanta over alleged spoofed banking sites and large-scale account takeovers.

Clean Energy Investment: Suniva closed an $835M debt-and-equity raise to build a second U.S. solar cell plant and expand capacity to 5.5 GW, pushing more domestic manufacturing into the spotlight. Education & Skills: Georgia reported broad gains in PISA 2025, with top improvement in science and reduced low-performer shares, plus a new national curriculum assessment model that weights homework, class work, and summative tasks equally and adds remediation rules. Local Tech & Infrastructure: Batumi is upgrading schools and kindergartens via the Municipal Development Fund, while Tbilisi is moving ahead with a tram line design and construction contract. Energy Transition in the Region: Georgia’s first Chinese-invested wind project broke ground in Tbilisi, and Azerbaijan highlighted wind and solar growth alongside renewable export “green corridors,” even as the shrinking Caspian Sea threatens Middle Corridor cargo capacity. Civic Space & Law: The Council of Europe human rights commissioner intervened in Georgia’s FARA-style case at the ECHR, arguing the law restricts civil society and media work. AI for Web Teams: BinaryWorks announced a free live “AI sprint” webinar for Drupal 10/11 teams focused on faster UX, smarter search, and better ROI.

Human Rights & Rule of Law: GYLA reports that the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights has filed a third-party submission to the ECtHR in Georgia’s “FARA-style” case, arguing the law restricts civil society and harms media and human-rights NGOs. Education & Infrastructure: Batumi is upgrading schools and kindergartens via the Municipal Development Fund, including rehab at Public Schools No. 4 and 5 (with new labs, libraries, sports areas, and accessibility) and works across Kindergartens No. 3, 12, and 18. Energy & Renewables: A groundbreaking ceremony in Tbilisi marks the start of the Imereti wind power plant, Georgia’s first Chinese-invested new energy project, aimed at boosting green power and energy independence. EdTech/AI for Web Teams: BinaryWorks will run a free Sept. 15 live webinar on using a 14-day AI sprint to improve UX, search, and ROI for Drupal 10/11 teams. STEM Outcomes: Georgia’s PISA 2025 results show improvements across key areas, with top progress in natural sciences and a reduced urban-rural achievement gap. Tech & Design Workflow: A Batumi architectural visualization case highlights real-time, ray-traced storytelling workflows for large-scale projects.

Tbilisi Transit Upgrade: Tbilisi signed the design-and-construction contract for a new tram line at the City Assembly, with a 36-month design timeline and a full project completion target within four years. Black Sea Security & Tech: Ukraine’s Navy is preparing for future Black Sea operations as Exercise Sea Breeze 2026 brings NATO and partner crews together, with a focus on countering evolving threats and deploying uncrewed systems. UN Map Push: The UN General Assembly backed the “Correct the Map” resolution, promoting equal-area projections over Mercator; Georgia abstained, while the U.S. voted against. Green Energy Corridors: Azerbaijan says its geography can link renewable energy resources and infrastructure across the region, pointing to Caspian–Black Sea–Europe and Central Asia–Azerbaijan green corridors. Human Premium & Algorithms: A study highlights an “algorithm discount,” where consumers value digital products less when they learn algorithms—not humans—created them. Public Safety Planning: Dalton council will consider a fire services assessment and stormwater engineering assignments, using a professional services contract to map staffing and response needs.

Black Sea Security Training: Ukraine’s Navy is preparing for future Black Sea missions as Exercise Sea Breeze 2026 brings Ukrainian crews to train with NATO partners in the UK, including work on countering Russian threats and deploying uncrewed systems. Cartography & Tech Policy: The UN General Assembly backed the “Correct the Map” push, urging governments, schools and tech firms to consider the Equal Earth projection over Mercator to better reflect Africa’s true size; Georgia abstained while the US voted against. Energy Strategy in the Caucasus: SOCAR and China Eximbank signal a new chapter for Azerbaijan’s industrial future, shifting cooperation toward higher-value processing and downstream production. Oil Export Resilience: Kazakhstan is upgrading its oil export strategy amid disruptions around the CPC terminal and tanker attacks, aiming to reduce dependence while building more managed interdependence. Human vs Algorithm Value: A new “algorithm discount” idea is getting attention: consumers may pay less for digital products when they learn algorithms, not humans, created them—fueling demand for “human premium” experiences. Regional Dialogue & Tensions: Abkhaz experts discuss what residents expect from Tbilisi, arguing Georgian-Abkhaz peace policy has drifted without trust or a clear framework. Defense Tech Watch: The UK’s Challenger 3 tank program faces reported gearbox strength issues that could delay delivery, highlighting how engineering bottlenecks can ripple into procurement timelines.