Armenia's journey to becoming a smart country: Insights from Silicon Mountains 2023

Armenia, with its ambitious vision, aims to transform into a smart country, as highlighted by the organizers and participants of the fifth Silicon Mountains technological summit. According to Eduard Musayelyan, the Executive Director of UEICT, the summit's organizing body, the goal is to establish Armenia as a country governed by smart solutions, with smart businesses driving the economy, and smart citizens proficiently utilizing available technologies.

According to Musayelyan, becoming a truly smart country is crucial for Armenia, and there is no other way.

"We are surrounded by countries with which we have strained relations, which are not particularly fond of us, but which possess abundant resources. However, we also possess a vital resource – human capital, and investing in human capital will propel us forward," Musayelyan emphasized in a discussion with NEWS.am Tech.

Silicon Mountains 2023 is taking place in Yerevan on October 17th. In the course of panel discussions focused on the themes of fostering a smart country, smart businesses, and informed, smart citizens, policymakers, along with local and international experts and officials from Armenia, the USA, and the UK, will impart their experiences, visions, and challenges associated with the establishment of a smart country.

This is not the first time that leaders of major international companies have participated in Silicon Mountains summits. As highlighted by Eduard Musayelyan, the organizers realized the importance of allowing as many people as possible to listen to and learn from such influential figures. Previous summits were smaller, accommodating up to 200 people, but today, the event hosts approximately 800 participants from over 100 companies. Nearly 10 speakers from different countries, individuals who have made significant contributions to various industries, have been invited.

The first Silicon Mountains summit took place in 2019, during different circumstances. Today, Armenia faces different challenges. According to Musayelyan, each year, the summit is dedicated to addressing specific issues relevant to the time. This year, the focus is on understanding Armenia's primary competitive advantage globally. At the core of it all is the term "smart," with the underlying idea that we must invest in people.

"Everyone in my circle is asking what we should do now. Let's focus on investing in human resources. Both businesses and the government must invest in people, and citizens must be prepared to accept these investments and technologically advance," added Eduard Musayelyan.

Armen Baldryan, President of UEICT, further pointed out that much discussion currently revolves around technological transformation. Yet, it remains unclear how technologies will impact each of us, the country, and the global economy. The main goal is to discuss and understand what awaits us tomorrow, what challenges, what opportunities for development, and to be prepared for them.

"During the first panel discussions, we realized that there are numerous challenges, risks, and opportunities. What should our country do to maximize its potential?" he stated.

At first glance, it might seem that Armenia is lagging behind in many aspects. However, Baldryan believes that Armenia actually possesses certain competitive advantages, particularly in the field of technology, where it holds leading positions. The participation of numerous international companies at the Silicon Mountains summit serves as evidence of this. The key lies in understanding how to concentrate efforts not only to avoid dissipating our strengths but also to focus them on advancing and even surpassing other countries in the areas where we are already competitive. Armenia, according to Baldryan, excels in chip design, and boasts a wealth of talented engineers. The crucial question is how to utilize this as an advantage for the country. Understanding the technological landscape is essential in this pursuit.

Baldryan also believes that the most crucial factor is not just technology, but people. How to utilize individuals, how to educate them (considering Armenia's small population), so they can bring maximum benefits to the country – that is the primary question.

Embracing the vision of a smart Armenia

The notion of a 'smart country' took center stage during the inaugural panel discussion at the Silicon Mountains 2023 summit. According to Eduard Musayelyan, a smart country is one that adapts, embraces, and leverages technology to overcome challenges and create new opportunities. He emphasized that international companies that invest in and contribute to the country's development also play a crucial role in making it smart.

Many of the summit's speakers represented such companies, with branches in Armenia, actively contributing to the country's advancement and the advancement of the current technologies both within its borders and beyond. Notable companies such as Synopsys, Siemens, and Adobe were among those cited. Representatives including President of Synopsys Armenia Yervant Zorian and Vice President of Siemens EDA EMEA Adrian Buckley participated in the panel discussion on the subject of a smart country.

"We need to demonstrate that there is potential here, that the international companies are valued and awaited here, and that their investments here do not go to waste. These companies should serve as an example for other companies to come here, open branches, and invest. This will help us realize our vision and make the country smarter," noted Musayelyan.

Armenia is believed to possess considerable potential in becoming an exporter of IT and innovation. Despite this, the country has yet to fully capitalize on this potential. Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy Chip Laitinen, in an interview with NEWS.am Tech, was asked about the primary obstacles hindering progress in this regard.

Laitinen emphasized the significant progress Armenia has made in terms of economic reforms and anti-corruption measures. However, he noted that more efforts are needed. The US Embassy is actively involved in assisting with cybercrime legislation and intellectual property protection, an area historically given less attention but vital for the development of the tech sector. According to him, incorporating IT and innovation into Armenia's governance system is a top priority, with the US Embassy working closely with the government in these crucial areas. Acknowledging the importance of the digital economy, Laitinen emphasized the need for its integration into government functions.

The discussion also involved prominent figures such as Vice President of the National Assembly Hakob Arshakyan, Chip Laitinen, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy, Andrew Whitten from the UK Department of Business and Trade CB's Trade Counsellor and Regional Director, and Martin Galsyan, Gouverneur, CBA of RA.

Nurturing smart business for Armenia's technological ascent

Smart businesses play a pivotal role in propelling the country towards becoming more ‘smart.’ According to the organizers of the summit, smart businesses are those that are prepared to embrace and implement digital transformations. They emphasized the need for businesses to be flexible, customer-centric, and continually seeking ways to organize and enhance their industries.

Eduard Musayelyan highlighted that businesses in Armenia are quicker than the country itself in adopting digital transformations. He expressed the significance of business experiences in this field. Telecom companies, banks, and other enterprises are among the first to recognize the need for digital transformation and initiate investments in this area.

"Sooner or later, all businesses must understand that digital transformation is not just an intriguing term; it is a necessity. They must invest in it to become more customer-oriented and make their businesses more manageable," Musayelyan explained.

Ralph Yirikian, General Director of Ucom, also a participant in the panel discussion, spoke to NEWS.am Tech about the telecommunications sector, highlighting its advanced position in Armenia regarding the implementation of modern technologies and digital transformation. However, he emphasized the importance of increased collaboration between the private sector and the government. This collaboration, he suggested, would help businesses align with the state's vision for development and effectively incorporate it into their programs, projects, business plans, strategies, and budgets, leading to a smarter business landscape.

"However, if businesses operate separately from the government, they may indeed implement new technologies for their customers. But this alone is insufficient for a country that truly aspires to develop, progress, and be counted among the developed nations," Yirikian stated.

Another company known for its innovations, not only in Armenia but globally, is Adobe, which has a presence in Armenia after acquiring Workfront. Shantanu Narayen, the CEO of the company, emphasized in a conversation with NEWS.am Tech that Adobe's mission has always been to change the world through digital experiences. Narayen stressed the importance of empowering citizens to share their stories and provide citizen-facing services, with an increasing demand for digital business transactions.

Enhancing business intelligence also requires a focus on security, particularly cybersecurity, which is more relevant than ever. Eric Vedel, Director of Cisco EMEA, addressed the topic of cybersecurity in his speech. He highlighted that we live in a hyperconnected world with numerous risks and threats that neither businesses nor governments can afford to ignore. However, he brought forth the optimistic perspective that defenders are also integrating innovative technologies to identify and block these threats.

Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan and President of UEICT Armen Baldryan were also active participants in the discussion, adding their valuable insights to the summit. Their speeches, along with those of all the other participants, can be accessed through the live broadcast of Silicon Mountains.

Empowering the smart citizen

The third panel discussion of the summit was dedicated to the theme of the smart citizen. A smart citizen, as defined by Eduard Musayelyan, the Executive Director of UEICT, is an individual who is not only technologically adept but also prepared for change, engaged, informed, and conscious. It pertains to individuals actively involved in shaping their communities, utilizing technology for the betterment of their country and the world.

Musayelyan emphasized that a smart citizen is a valuable asset for the country, necessitating investment from both the private sector and the government in the interest of national development.

The panel discussion on the smart citizen featured key speakers such as Bagrat Yengibaryan, Director of Enterprise Incubator Foundation, Diana Kiguradze, Regional Manager of Visa, Hovik Musayelyan, Director of Synopsys Armenia CJSC, Arayik Harutyunyan, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, Isabelle Poulard, Vice President of Smart Identity Global Business Development at IDEMIA, and Aliona Stratan, the First Deputy Chairwoman of maib.

Their insightful contributions and perspectives shed light on the critical role of individuals in driving positive change and utilizing technology as a force for good, contributing to the advancement of both their communities and the wider world. Through their active participation and dedication, these individuals exemplify the spirit of the smart citizen, serving as the driving force for progress and innovation in Armenia and beyond.

Besides…

The Silicon Mountains 2023 summit was not only a platform for insightful discussions but also a venue for honoring outstanding achievements and contributions in the realm of technology. The Best IT Student Awarding Ceremony and a special envelope redemption ceremony were significant events that added to the summit's vibrancy.

Moreover, on the 18th of October, the summit will host the ceremony for presenting the State Prize of Armenia for Global Investments in High Technologies. This year's award, for the year 2022, recognizes Shantanu Narayen, the Chief Executive Officer of Adobe, as the recipient of this prestigious accolade.

It is worth mentioning that the platinum partner of the summit is Ucom, one of Armenia's leading telecommunications companies. Additionally, Adobe, Synopsys, HPE, Visa, Viasphere Technopark, and Unicomp are among the esteemed partners of the event. Their contribution reflects the collaborative effort to foster technological advancement and innovation within Armenia.