Armenia’s rapid rise as a technology hub has been nothing short of remarkable. From its origins as a Soviet technology center, Armenia has re-emerged as a force in artificial intelligence (AI) and high-tech industries. Global giants like Microsoft, Adobe, and Google have established significant presences in the country, and Armenia’s startup ecosystem is producing new players on the global stage.
Armenia was somewhat late to the AI revolution, but it has caught up quickly. In 2016, while AI and machine learning were already thriving in Western universities, Armenia lacked machine-learning faculty and infrastructure. However, driven by passion, Hrant Khachatrian, a young AI researcher, and his friends rented an apartment and began experimenting with a single GPU. This small initiative grew into one of Armenia’s first AI labs, YerevaNN, which by 2019 was publishing papers at major conferences like the Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition Conference (CVPR). This was a pivotal moment in Armenia’s AI journey. Hrant also works at IntelinAir, a startup that brings state-of-the-art computer vision to agriculture.
Narek Vardanyan – CEO, Prelaunch.com
Universities began to respond by establishing graduate programs in AI, and today, Yerevan State University is home to a dedicated AI research lab, providing students with the resources they need to explore machine learning. While Armenia’s AI community has grown to over 600 researchers, a persistent challenge remains the scarcity of GPUs, which are essential for training AI models. To counterbalance these constraints, the private sector has stepped in. Venture capital and entrepreneurial networks, particularly those with Western connections, are playing a crucial role in ensuring that Armenia’s tech startups can continue to innovate despite the hardware shortages. As Narek Vardanyan, CEO of Prelaunch.com, a validation platform, explains: “Armenian companies no longer need to rely solely on Silicon Valley for early-stage funding. We now have venture funds in Armenia, allowing startups to raise $2 million to $3 million locally”.
Armen Tavadyan, CEO, Armenian State Symphony Orchestra
Armen Tavadyan, CEO of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, represents a unique intersection of AI and the arts. Under his leadership, the orchestra has pioneered projects that integrate technology with classical music, particularly during challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The orchestra’s collaboration with AI researchers began during the 2019 World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT), where they performed AI-generated music live for the first time in history. “By using AI to create and enhance music, we are demonstrating the potential of this technology in fields beyond just science and industry,” says Tavadyan.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the performing arts industry was brought to a standstill. Concerts were canceled, and many orchestras around the world vanished as they struggled to adapt. However, Armen Tavadyan saw this moment of crisis as an opportunity to innovate. Rallying a team of IT enthusiasts, AI specialists, and musicians from the orchestra, Tavadyan spearheaded the development of an online platform and app that allowed the Khachaturian International Music Competition to take place during the pandemic.
Despite skepticism from many corners, this bold effort was a success. The platform enabled musicians from around the globe to participate remotely, preserving the competition’s prestige while offering a creative solution to the challenges faced by the performing arts.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming the focus of Armenia’s tech revolution. Companies like Picsart, a leading photo and video editing platform founded in 2011, are building generative AI models to push the boundaries of their services. Similarly, Krisp, an AI-powered startup, has gained recognition for developing a tool that modifies the accents of English speakers from the Philippines and India into neutral Midwestern U.S. accents in real-time. This innovative solution is primarily marketed to North American call centers and showcases how Armenia’s tech ecosystem is addressing global challenges with cutting-edge AI solutions.
Armenia’s AI success is also underpinned by initiatives focused on building human capital. Programs like Armath introduce students as young as 10 to engineering and coding through project-based learning. Sponsored by the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE), Armath runs more than 650 engineering labs across Armenia, providing young Armenians with the tools to become the next generation of innovators.
Another notable program is AI Generation, which aims to bring machine learning education to high schools throughout Armenia. Initially funded by Noubar Afeyan, co-founder of Moderna, this initiative already has hundreds of students enrolled across 16 cities.
The goal is to train the next wave of AI researchers and engineers, ensuring that Armenia remains competitive in the global tech landscape.
