Armenia ranked 95th out of 135 countries in the Global Responsible AI Index (GIRAI) 2026, according to Natalia Mochu, Regional Director of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), who presented international trends in AI governance during the 11th Armenian Internet Governance Forum (ArmIGF).
At ArmIGF 2026, held on November 6 in Yerevan, the thematic discussion titled “Armenia’s AI Future: From Innovation and Infrastructure to Responsible Governance” highlighted that the development of artificial intelligence is not limited to building technological infrastructure. It also requires high-quality data, professional expertise, a secure environment, and responsible governance.
The discussion was moderated by Vahan Hovsepyan, Senior Public Policy and Community Development Advisor at RIPE NCC. The speakers also included Armen Avetisyan, General Director of Viva Armenia, and Henrik Sergoyan, Co-founder of COPA.
According to Armen Avetisyan, the combination of AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) could play a significant role in sectors such as defence, energy, transportation, agriculture, and the management of water and other resources. He emphasized the need for a coordinated nationwide approach, prioritizing critical sectors. In his view, around 80% of Armenia’s basic infrastructure is already ready to move from individual projects towards a coordinated national approach, and the main requirement is an appropriate policy decision.
Henrik Sergoyan highlighted the importance of developing local AI models, Armenian-language datasets, and professional capacities. He noted that AI sovereignty for Armenia could be built on the localization of open-source models and the development of domestic solutions, including those capable of operating offline. He stressed that AI systems must be transparent, explainable, and meet data quality requirements.
