In modern life, the artificial intelligence (AI) starting to play an increasingly significant role, its subsequent integration into higher education institutions (HEIs) has become an important component of digital transformation. While AI demonstrates the huge potential to improve the effectiveness in both teaching and administrative operations, its adoption has not been uniform across all institutions. In regions with lower levels of digital literacy and underdeveloped infrastructure- particularly in remote areas- AI is not yet being used effectively or consistently. These disparities make it essential to examine how educators are using AI and what challenges they face, in order to inform more inclusive and effective digital transition policies. This study investigates the awareness, usage patterns, and challenges related to AI tools among academic staff in regional HEIs in Azerbaijan. The survey involved 492 respondents (educators) from 13 institutions of various ages and experience levels and was conducted via the Qualtrix platform. The survey assessed digital readiness, familiarity with AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT), frequency of use, influencing factors, perceived benefits, and challenges encountered. Descriptive analysis revealed that approximately 40% of respondents use AI frequently or daily, while 17.9% are not familiar with AI tools. A statistically significant relationship was found between age and AI usage, with younger academic staff showing higher familiarity and more frequent use. This research is directed to uncover the present Aİ adoption situation in Azerbaijan regional universities and shows key areas for targeted interventions. The result can be considered in the development of digital strategy for higher education institutions.