AI in Armenia: The Frontier & Future
Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 6:00 PM PDT – 9:00 PM PDT
Kalaydjian Banquet Hall and Cultural Center, 3325 N Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, CA 91504, USA
Hosted by Friends of YSU
Join us for a special evening exploring Armenia’s place in the rapidly evolving global AI landscape. Featured speakers include Rev Lebaredian, Vice President of Physical AI Simulation at NVIDIA; Dr. Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, Rector of Yerevan State University; Mr. Areg Alimian, Managing Partner at SmartGateVC; and Dr. Hrant Khachatryan, leader of YSU’s Machine Learning Laboratory. The evening will begin with a keynote by Dr. Khachatryan, followed by a panel discussion examining what advances in artificial intelligence could mean for Armenia—not only for its technology sector, but for its economy, national security, global competitiveness, and broader role in the region. The conversation will explore where Armenia can meaningfully contribute, what opportunities are emerging, and what investments in talent, research, and infrastructure will be required. This event is a fundraiser benefiting Yerevan State University’s Center for Mathematical and Applied Research, with a particular focus on its Machine Learning Laboratory. 100% of event proceeds will support research fellowships at the Machine Learning Laboratory, helping advance AI research and support the next generation of researchers in Armenia. Dinner and drinks are included with your ticket. We hope you’ll join us for an evening of ideas, conversation, and meaningful support for Armenia’s emerging research and innovation community.