How Fast Foundation Is Turning Armenia Into a Global Leader in AI Education

FAST Gala 2024: Uniting Armenians to Shape the Nation’s Tech Future

INTERVIEW: The Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST) is making bold strides to position Armenia as a global hub for AI innovation and STEM education. On the eve of the highly anticipated FAST Advance Armenia Gala in Los Angeles this Friday, December 6, newly appointed Executive Director Suzanna Shamakhyan shared insights into FAST’s flagship program, Generation AI, in an interview with The Armenian Report.

This year’s gala will feature an inspiring lineup of speakers, including Andre Andonian, Chairman of the FAST Board of Trustees; Nina Achadjian, Partner at Index Ventures; and other distinguished guests. The evening, hosted by the dynamic Tina Odjaghian, will also celebrate Armenian culture with captivating performances.

Below is the interview with Suzanna Shamakhyan, presented in a question-and-answer format to preserve her full responses.

Q: How does the Generation AI program aim to reshape the future of education in Armenia, particularly in STEM and AI?

Suzanna Shamakhyan: Generation AI has a simple yet ambitious goal: to nurture future innovators in Armenia for the world. Why should Armenia aspire to this? 

We Armenians are not just survivors; we are creators. Throughout history, we have shown an incredible ability to build something extraordinary out of nothing. During the Soviet era, Armenia was often referred to as the "Mini-Silicon Valley of the USSR." Today, we host tech giants like Nvidia, Adobe, and Synopsys, alongside startups like Picsart, Armenia’s first unicorn.

We want this to become one of the things that happen in Armenia as a rule, not as an exception. We believe Armenia has the potential to become a global hub for innovation, and a strong STEM education system is a critical prerequisite for this vision.

With Generation AI, we aim to drive the sustainable systemic change Armenia needs. This program isn’t about training employees for big tech companies—we simply can’t compete with countries like China or India in scale. Instead, our focus is on educating the innovators and creators of tomorrow—those who design and develop groundbreaking technologies. The world has a growing demand for such creators, and we believe Armenia can rise to meet it.

This is why we created Generation AI, and this is why we believe in Armenia’s future as a center of innovation.

We are already piloting Generation AI in collaboration with Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports in 15 high schools across seven regions of Armenia, benefiting 540 students & 61 educators. Launched in 2023 the aim of the initiative is to establish a national AI education pipeline, integrating free Advanced Math and AI education into the public school curriculum.  It is the first phase of a multi-layer program aimed at establishing a comprehensive educational framework that spans from high school through doctoral levels.

Recently in Paris the program received significant attention from UNESCO and authors of its newly published AI Competency framework for learners, who have contributed to advanced AI research and educational initiatives in countries such as China, the UK the US, and South Korea, positioning Armenia as an emerging case study in AI education from which other nations may draw valuable lessons. And while many countries are still in the early stages of exploring UNESCO’s AI competency frameworks and other similar efforts, we are already planning to scale this initiative, aiming to reach  45 high schools across Armenia and  85% of the country's high school students by 2026. Moreover, with the Generation AI project we’ve gone beyond focusing solely on AI literacy or vocational training, leading innovative reforms in STEM and AI education and contributing to the national STEM education strategy. 

Q: What measurable impacts have you observed so far on students, teachers, and the broader community?

Shamakhyan: The methodology behind Generation AI aims to improve students’ academic results, motivation, performance at school and lifelong learning skills. Based on the first-year results there is a significant positive impact on both educational outcomes for students and their motivational uplevel.

Two-thirds of the students who initially had lower grades at the start but showed potential, have demonstrated significant progress. Almost half of their week is spent in the courses that we teach within Generation AI. 

When comparing math education results, Generation AI students scored 2.5 times higher on average than students learning under similar programs, based on identical exam criteria. In addition, they have demonstrated significantly higher motivation toward learning math, as evaluated by our partner the Analysis Group based in Boston. 

As for the teachers, over the course of a year, they underwent an intensive training and mentorship program, which was specifically designed to integrate active learning techniques and 21st-century teaching methodologies into the classroom, leading to a significant shift from traditional, teacher-centered approaches to more dynamic, student-centered instructional practices. To support this transition, we have also developed Advanced Algebra Methodological Guidelines, Resources and Methodology in Armenian for Python and AI courses. And one of the most rewarding outcomes of this initiative has been the strong sense of community developed among educators. Teachers have expressed increased engagement, valuing the opportunities to share experiences and insights with colleagues from different regions and benefit from mentorship. 

Another unique feature of this program is the involvement of industry specialists to teach Python programming and AI. The real-world expertise these specialists bring enriches the classroom with industry best practices, while their youthful energy and fresh perspective create a dynamic learning environment, fostering a supportive and mentoring relationship with students, which in turn boosts students’ motivation. 

Q: What are the key challenges and opportunities in scaling this initiative nationwide?

Shamakhyan: The scaling of the Generation AI program provides a unique opportunity to democratize Advanced Math and AI education, bridging the regional divide by bringing high-quality education to all regions of Armenia and empowering students from diverse backgrounds. It will have a transformative impact, extending its reach to more school communities, fostering innovation, and contributing to the modernization of Armenia’s public education system. 

Obviously, this is not something one organization can lead alone. Achieving this vision will require a collective effort involving industrial and governmental partners, international organizations, experts from Armenia and the global diaspora, as well as many dedicated supporters. This is why we have been organizing Gala events. This year we hosted our first European Gala in Paris, and now looking forward to our 3rd annual Advance Armenia Gala in Los Angeles.

Q: How does the focus on project-based learning and skill development outside the classroom complement the in-class AI and Python programming curriculum in creating future innovators?

Shamakhyan: Project-based learning and skill development are at the heart of Generation AI’s methodology, integrated into both in-classroom and out-of-classroom activities. Students utilize essential planning, research, team work and presentation skills and have continuous opportunities to showcase their creativity and reflective thinking through various events, educational expos, and career fairs, where they present their projects to a broader audience.  

Q: The program aims to address critical gaps in Armenia's education and AI ecosystem. What were the biggest challenges in developing and launching this initiative, and how did you overcome them?

Shamakhyan: Since 2017, FAST has placed a strong emphasis on education, capacity building, and the enhancement of Armenia’s intellectual capital. Recognizing that skilled human resources, especially in STEM fields, are the country's most valuable asset, we have sought to leverage this talent as a key driver of sustainable economic growth and innovation.

However, Armenia faces challenges in providing a strong foundation in mathematics and computer science in schools. While strong Math Olympiad clubs and schools exist, they are primarily concentrated in Yerevan, limiting access to advanced mathematical education for students in other regions of the country.

Despite these challenges, Armenia’s rich scientific legacy offers a solid foundation for building future scientific and technological capacity. At its peak, Armenia ranked second only to Russia in the number of active researchers. This dynamic scientific community once provided a wealth of intellectual capital that can be harnessed to drive future innovation. By scaling initiatives such as Generation AI, which seeks to make advanced education accessible nationwide, there is an opportunity to unlock this latent potential and empower the next generation of researchers and innovators.

Another critical asset for Armenia is its ability to draw upon a wide range of talent both from within its borders and from its global diaspora. Prominent figures like Dr. Noubar Afeyan, Founder and CEO of Flagship Pioneering, Co-Founder and Chairman of Moderna, and David Yang, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur behind ABBYY, Newo.ai, and Morfeus.ai, exemplify the caliber of Armenian talent making difference worldwide. Furthermore, the achievements of Nobel laureates of Armenian descent —including Daron Acemoglu, Ardem Patapoutian, and Emmanuelle Charpentier, highlight Diaspora’s intellectual and scientific reach. 

By fully capitalizing Armenia's global potential we can position our country at the forefront of technological innovation.

Q: Many Armenians, both in the homeland and the diaspora, have lost faith and hope following the devastating 2020 war and the complete loss of Artsakh in 2023. What motivates you to continue building and contributing to Armenia's prosperity despite these challenges?

Shamakhyan: The challenges Armenia has faced in recent years are, above all, a call to action—a reminder that our future depends on our ability to harness the greatest and most enduring resource Armenia has: its people.

Unlike neighboring nations that possess vast reserves of natural resources such as oil or gas, Armenia’s strength has always been rooted in its human capital. FAST is steadfast in its commitment to transforming Armenia from a technology-consuming nation into a technology-creating powerhouse. This vision carries even greater urgency in the context of a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. The race in AI is just beginning, and by acting on time, we can use the limitless possibilities it offers, opening an entirely new scale of opportunities.

---

FAST Advance Armenia Gala

The annual Advance Armenia Gala promises to be a night of inspiration and unity, with proceeds supporting initiatives like Generation AI. As FAST continues to pioneer advancements in AI education, the gala serves as a reminder of what’s possible when Armenians worldwide come together to invest in the nation’s future.

For more information and updates on FAST’s initiatives, visit their official website or follow them on social media @fast_foundation.