Armenia Becomes a Hub for AI Competencies: An International Business Perspective

Armenia is steadily strengthening its position on the global technology map, attracting not only investments but also major international companies operating in science and artificial intelligence. Business representatives note that the country is moving beyond being a simple infrastructure platform and is forming a fully-fledged ecosystem for high-tech development.

From Infrastructure to Competencies

As Christos Harpantidis, Vice President of External Affairs at Philip Morris International, stated during the Yerevan Dialogue 2026 forum, the AI and analytics center of expertise established in the country is already addressing the company’s global challenges.

"We came to Armenia in 2018 with a simple hope that science would flourish here. But the reality has significantly exceeded our expectations. Today, Armenia is not just creating infrastructure, but forming real competencies," he noted. Harpantidis emphasized that the country has established a favorable regulatory environment, allowing for the development of AI-based scientific solutions on an industrial scale.

Ecosystem and Global Integration

"There is a developed ecosystem here—universities, research institutes, experts—of which we have become a part. And, of course, we must mention the high volume of talent—highly qualified specialists who continue to develop constantly," he added. In his assessment, Armenia today offers a unique combination: the development of its own technological strategy while simultaneously integrating into global processes. "If I were to leave one main message: Armenia is a place where the national AI strategy harmonizes perfectly with international trends. And we are ready to continue supporting this development," the company representative concluded.