Armenia is quietly becoming one of the world’s most interesting AI hubs—and you probably haven’t heard about it yet.

In this episode, I sit down with Armenia’s Minister of Finance to discuss:

~ Why Nvidia is building a massive AI factory in Armenia
~ How a country of 3 million is attracting Synopsis, Yandex, and major tech companies
~ The secret advantage: abundant energy + Soviet-era engineering talent
~ Is the AI investment boom a bubble or the real deal?
~ How AI is already being used in tax collection and government services
~ The peace agreement with Azerbaijan and what it means for tech investment
~ Why the “Middle Corridor” could make Armenia the next tech destination

The Minister doesn’t think AI investment is a bubble—he thinks we’re just getting started. He shares honest insights about job displacement, efficiency gains, and why human connection still matters in an AI-driven world.

About the Guest:
Armenia’s Minister of Finance is an economist who rose from bank accounting to leading the nation’s fiscal policy. He oversees Armenia’s economic transformation during a pivotal era of digital ambitions and AI development.

Timestamps:
0:00 — Intro to Regulating AI Podcast & Sanjay Puri
0:31 — Armenia’s Minister of Finance: Guest Introduction
1:09 — Armenia’s history as a Soviet tech hub
2:10 — Nvidia’s AI factory in Armenia explained
3:10 — Why Armenia is attracting global tech companies
4:30 — Armenia’s talent and energy advantages
5:30 — R&D centres: Synopsis, Yandex, Nvidia in Armenia
7:20 — Is the AI investment boom a bubble?
8:00 — Impact of AI on jobs and economy in Armenia
10:00 — How Armenia’s Ministry of Finance uses AI (tax/data)
11:00 — Piloting AI in government services
12:00 — Citizen interactions: Can AI improve public services?
13:00 — Digitalisation, cybersecurity & future AI agencies
14:10 — Armenia’s peace agreement & tech cooperation
15:30 — Outro and closing remarks

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