Global Innovation Forum 2022 kicks off in Yerevan

The official opening of the Global Innovation Forum (GIF) 2022, the annual key event of the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST), was held in Yerevan Wednesday.

"Life-Altering Technologies" is the main theme of this year’s event.

Andre Andonian, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of FAST, member of the Board of ADI and AEM, managing partner of McKinsey & Company, delivered opening remarks.

"GIF started its activities in 2017, and every year leading figures of technology and science have gathered in Yerevan to present the practical application of technologies. We discussed machine learning, research sciences, engineering as evolution, and then the shift in artificial intelligence. Two years later we are back with new energy, new plans. We believe that science and innovation have become more powerful. Artificial intelligence (AI) is developing very quickly, gaining greater importance for society. AI permeates all spheres of life, we are trying to discover the connection between technology and human life," Andonian said.

He also presented some statistical figures.

"It is predicted that by 2025, 85 million jobs will disappear, along with it, 8.97 million new jobs will be opened. Sixteen trillion dollars of investment in global economy is expected from AI. This is the combined GDP of China and India. In China, the GDP due to AI will grow by 26 percent, and AI will increase by 56 percent. AI makes it possible to create new medicines, to find solutions to maintain people's health. AI is very important for us as a society and as businesses, especially for Armenia, considering Armenia's heritage," Andonian said.

He spoke about FAST, too, saying that this year they are celebrating their fifth anniversary.

"Armenia has been considered the center of semiconductors, computer equipment, software, technologies and natural sciences, and this trend continues in Armenia. Today, Armenia has a fairly high rating, which speaks of high potential. (...). A few numbers: Armenia ranks 69th among 132 countries in the global innovation index, 60th in terms of readiness, and 33rd in terms of the quality of mathematics. (...)," Andonian noted.

Deputy Prime Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan of Armenia also delivered opening remarks.

"Innovative programs in Armenia provide an opportunity to form innovative science and contribute to the formation of a creative education system. The Ministry of High-Tech Industry was created in Armenia for this very purpose, to contribute to the development of this sector and to make the society of Armenia a high-tech society. We have a development strategy for 2021-2025, where the priority of digitization of the country's economy is indicated. This year, the forum is taking place in difficult conditions for the country: On September 13, Azerbaijan carried out aggression against Armenia, we have casualties, civil infrastructures were destroyed, Azerbaijan continues its aggressive behavior. But at the same time, we are holding this forum, which proves that that Armenia is committed to discovering the possibilities of using new technologies. We understand the importance of high technology, especially the importance of artificial intelligence in various fields of human activity. Armenia, having human resources, takes advantage of the opportunities of the digital age," he said.

The Global Innovation Forum 2022 (GIF22) is an exclusive platform, the purpose of which is to bring together the leading specialists and businesspersons of the scientific world in Armenia and beyond the borders of country, building a unique bridge between science and industry, government, international organizations, and financial institutions. At the core of this international forum organized by the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology are discussions on artificial intelligence and its impact on people's lives. The final discussion of the first day of GIF22 will be held in fishbowl format. This is an interactive dialogue with three thematic groups of speakers: FinTech, Educational Technology (EdTech), and Sustainability.

The discussion under the title FinTech will present the latest innovations in the field of fintech based on artificial banking. The discussion, entitled EdTech, will reveal precedents for the use of the latest technologies in the field of education. And the discussion titled Sustainability will consider the contribution of artificial intelligence in creating a more sustainable future. About 80 specialists from various countries will deliver remarks and lectures at the forum.

The fourth GIF is a bridge between science, government, international organizations, and financial institutions to promote various solutions for a prosperous future of Armenia. The GIFs held in 2018 and 2019 brought to Armenia 1,400 participants, 170 outstanding scientists, innovators and leaders, and technological giants—from 23 countries—such as Google DeepMind, Google Brain, Facebook AI, Microsoft and Flagship Pioneering. In addition to companies, the forum also brought to Armenia such academic institutions as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Stanford University.

Armenian News-NEWS.am is the information partner of Global Innovation Forum 2022.