Speaking at today’s "Prospects of Artificial Intelligence in Armenia: Education at the Core” conference in Yerevan, YerevanNN computer science and mathematics research lab Director Hrant Khachatryan said that while more than thirty companies operating in Armenia create products using artificial intelligence, 95% of what’s manufactured is targeted for the overseas market.

“These companies work in various fields - financial, healthcare, etc. There are at least another ten companies that have artificial intelligence knowledge and provide services in the field, " Khachatryan said.

The conference brings representatives of the public, private, and education sectors to discuss the status of artificial intelligence (AI) in the country.

Khachatryan said that one of the missing components to serve the population of Armenia is the Armenian-language related databases, adding that the lack of a true post-graduate program in the field.

He said that several educational centers have recently paid attention to the demand for AI and have launched specialist courses.

Khachatryan said the science sector lags behind others and that universities must reach out to Armenian scientists overseas and offer them jobs in Armenia.

Another option is to create major scientific centers, which is quite expensive. According to Khachatryan’s calculations, $2.5 million is needed to pay four to five scientists and their postgraduate students in Armenia annually.

"If we can promise such a budget to scientists working abroad, we can recruit a large number of qualified people," Khachatryan said.

Photo@Mediamax