ArmInfo. The Ministry of High-Tech Industry reported to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on its work in 2025. According to the PM's office, High-Tech Industry Minister Mkhitar Hayrapetyan presented the ministry's priority areas for 2025 and the results achieved in meeting the performance indicators set for them.
It was noted that the ministry's main priorities for the year were digitalization, the application of artificial intelligence tools in real life, the development of the technology ecosystem, the telecommunications sector, and the enhancement of legislation regarding the use and regulation of radio frequencies. The outcomes of the work carried out in these areas were presented, along with the planned steps for the first half of 2026. It was reported that the implementation of the RA Law "On State Support for the High-Tech Sector" has been fully ensured. Under the program, economic entities received 8.76 billion drams in state support to attract migrant workers, recruit new employees, and retrain personnel. Applications for support are currently being accepted through an electronic platform that provides automated calculations and decisions on support. It was emphasized that the Ministry, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Mistral AI, a European leader in artificial intelligence, has launched the Virtual Institute of Artificial Intelligence (ai.gov.am). This is an open platform bringing together technology companies, researchers, and innovators to provide support throughout the entire R&D and product development chain. Mkhitar Hayrapetyan noted that the virtual institute is designed for students, startups, and researchers. They can apply and gain access to a supercomputer, other international services, and, starting in 2027, to the computing resources of Firebird AI through a subsidy.
Additionally, the government has approved a pilot program of state support to provide access to high- performance computing resources in artificial intelligence, and the application process has begun. In the first half of 2026, the terms of reference for a platform for dialogue between citizens and artificial intelligence will be developed. Based on these, a competition will be organized or a contract will be concluded with the relevant organization. The platform is designed to provide citizens with quick and comprehensive information on issues related to the activities, programs, and responsibilities of the ministry, via phone calls and electronic communications, with the direct participation of artificial intelligence. Mkhitar Hayrapetyan noted that artificial intelligence is planned to be implemented in the departments' call centers.
An agreement signed as part of a collaboration with the international company Plug and Play was presented. The three-year collaboration will involve the implementation of incubation, pre-acceleration, and acceleration programs, each encompassing 15-20 startups. As part of the program, specialists with international experience will be brought to Armenia to provide mentoring support, business consultations, and networking opportunities for participating startups. The process of developing a strategic plan for the high-tech sector was discussed. Analytical reports have already been prepared, priority technology areas have been identified, and work is currently underway to formulate strategic goals, develop an action plan, and conduct discussions with stakeholders. The approval of the strategic plan is scheduled for the first half of 2026.
The implementation of Starlink high-speed satellite internet services, launched in Armenia on March 27, 2025, was outlined. These services provide reliable, high-speed internet access throughout the country, including remote and hard-to-reach settlements. The work being conducted in collaboration with Mistral AI, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Firebird AI was also presented. Specifically, Firebird AI plans to invest approximately $500 million in Armenia to create a large artificial intelligence data center.
Issues related to the development of the military-industrial complex and the progress of programs in this area were also discussed.
