ABBYY technology company's founder, David Yang, believes that Armenia can become a global leader in the field of artificial intelligence by creating an "AI City," where thousands of scientists from different countries would gather. He presented this idea during the 28th World Congress on Innovation and Technology (WCIT2024), currently taking place in Yerevan.

“No country in the world will have such a multi-modal data bank, and scientists will compete to be in the city because it will enable them to make new inventions and discoveries,” Yang said.

Yang envisions a city where scientists would share their personal data, and based on that data, new discoveries and technologies would develop. According to his plan, around 75,000 people would live in the AI City, and all the data related to their lives and daily routines would be used by themselves for research purposes.

Yang presented his vision to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, ministers from Armenia and other countries, and influential individuals. He mentions that the feedback has been positive, but the realization of this initiative requires significant financial investments.

“If that city ever becomes a reality, it must be funded by countries. Countries will invest billions of dollars to be part of this international scientific project,” Yang believes.

The author of the idea says that Armenia has many talented people and bright minds, but more is needed to bring AI City to life.

“We need a multicultural environment. Silicon Valley emerged because two million technological immigrants came together. They united, and that dynamic environment led to major advancements like Google, Facebook, Twitter, and more. Armenia must attract talent from every corner of the world, and then it can become a local Silicon Valley.,” says David Yang.