ArmInfo. The RA Government will allocate $25 million over five years to acquire high-performance computing resources. The decision was made at a Cabinet meeting on April 9.
The rationale for the draft decision notes that artificial intelligence has become one of the main driving forces behind the development of not only technological but also economic and public administration. Countries with sufficient computing power shape the future, while others become consumers of these solutions. The Republic of Armenia must choose the first path. The goal is to create a computing infrastructure in Armenia that will ensure the development of science, education, and business, facilitate the digitalization of the state system, and position Armenia as a regional technology hub.
However, as the rationale emphasizes, a number of limitations currently exist. The country lacks sufficient GPU computing power, AI projects rely on external platforms, and due to their high cost, these resources are often unavailable. As a result, research is limited, startups are unable to develop competitively, and government AI programs are difficult to scale. To address this issue, it is proposed to purchase approximately $25 million in high-performance computing resources. This will allow students and scientists to work with modern AI tools, stimulate research, and engage in international projects. In the tech sector, this will support startups, reduce their costs, and stimulate the development of high- margin products.
The Armenian government has already approved a pilot program to support access to high-performance computing resources in the field of artificial intelligence. This program aims to develop an AI ecosystem, educational and research environment, and support the creation of applied solutions for the public and private sectors. These resources are currently purchased from Amazon Web Services, but it is planned that starting in 2027, they will be provided from an AI data center operating in the Republic of Armenia.
Simultaneously, it is planned to create an AI call center for the entire government system, which will provide automated processing of citizen inquiries, voice services, and 24/7 availability. This will significantly improve the efficiency of public administration and optimize resources.
To achieve this goal, the procurement will be made by a single entity, in this case, from Firebird AI CJSC, as part of the country's ongoing program to create a strategic artificial intelligence factory. The project, in particular, provides the opportunity to purchase advanced graphics processors from a company manufacturing them in the Republic of Armenia to promote technological progress in the public sector.
