Tuesday, 5 November 2019
Tigran Avinyan delivers speech at “Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Development: Ideas, Technology and Markets” panel discussion
On November 5, 2019, Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan attended a panel discussion, referred to as “Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Development: Ideas, Technology and Markets,” held in Shangai on the margins of the Second Hongqiao International Economic Forum.
Tigran Avinyan made a speech in which he said:
“Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I cordially congratulate you on the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. Over the past few decades, China made significant strides in economic development, human well-being, science and technology.
I am convinced that your country’s progress will continue in a way to generate added value for its citizens and the world, as a whole.
Dear Colleagues,
The history of mankind has always been a race for a higher level of technological development. For the first time, this race offers more opportunities than it poses hazards and safety-related dilemmas.
The achievement of one nation is not the defeat of the other. The race for innovation and technological advancement brings about the creation of mass knowledge that can be useful to everyone if used intelligently.
This phase of civilization development is not yet another milestone in historical evolution, but a revolutionary leap leading to a new world. This is a process of transformation that will free people from their boring daily work. Artificial intelligence and other breakthrough technologies will greatly enhance our capabilities and enable us to focus on creative activity.
The current stage of development is also unique in that technology acts as an equalizing tool. Although innovation has always been the lifeblood of people who are visionary and change-minded, it has usually only contributed to the development of limited countries.
Now, everyone has the opportunity to reap the benefits of artificial intelligence. Both big states like China and small ones like Armenia have something to offer to the world ecosystem, and we must help every state find its place. Moreover, no state alone can fully exploit the opportunities afforded by artificial intelligence, as the key to success is not only financial and intellectual capacity but also networks. networks of people and ideas that are scattered all over the world.
As part of these global processes, Armenia is a vivid example of a small state with large human capital that makes use of the opportunities available in the digital era. We produced 30% of the microelectronics used by the Soviet Union’s defense industry, accounting for only 1.5% of the population. This is the solid pillar upon which we build our potential in the 21st century and prepare for the technological leap from developing country to developed country.
We have opted for artificial intelligence and information on the way to progress. Less capital-extensive than other major fields of natural science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), artificial intelligence and information science enable high levels of technological development with relatively limited resources.
Today we can proudly say that Armenian companies like Picsart, Renderforest, 2Hz, SuperAnnotate and others have a say in the field of artificial intelligence and information science. However, we are still at the outset of a long journey. To speed up the process of technological transformation, we need to consider the government not only as an innovator in the use and promotion of new technologies, but also as the generator of innovations. For this reason, Armenia set up the Ministry of High-Tech Industry, which has worked out a targeted development policy.
I should also note that innovation policy does not work in a vacuum, it calls for specific regulations and infrastructure.
First of all, we are talking about education. In the education system we place great importance on the subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), as evidenced by the availability of engineering laboratories in most schools and the availability of STEM specialties in eight universities across the country.
Moreover, by adopting a clustered approach, we have established tech parks and engineering cities, as well as planning to create innovative neighborhoods. As a result, we aim to join the list of the most innovative countries in the world.
Dear Colleagues,
On the path of transformation, we perceive the world from the perspective of the win-win approach, that is, one’s gain is not the loss of the other. I think the forum is an excellent opportunity for policy-makers, business leaders and technology leaders to share their experiences. The conference is also a good opportunity to commit to financial, intellectual and social capital to be used to set an innovative and profitable global agenda for development.”
