"Mind Matters: Thinking in the Age of AI" – A forum for reflection

The speakers at the forum included Ashot Arzumanyan, partner at SmartGateVC; Lusine Abgaryan, co-founder of GrittGene Therapeutics and Proone Labs; and Lilith Yenokyan, a technology leader and former employee at Meta and Netflix. The forum was moderated by Armine Galstyan, Head of North American Operations and Principal at SmartGateVC.   

The event began with a welcoming speech by Ambassador Armen Bayburdyan, Chair of the Board of YSU Friends Foundation. He emphasized the significance and rapid development of artificial intelligence, noting that Yerevan State University is placing great attention on research conducted in this field. 

Following this, YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan conveyed his greeting through a video message, highlighting the importance of such events. He noted, "Your involvement reflects your solidarity with our vision that Armenia’s long-term development relies on its intellectual potential. The only way to secure this potential is through unwavering support for education and research. As the leading institution in this mission, YSU plays a fundamental role by providing the majority of the professional and intellectual resources to Armenian society. Supporting YSU, therefore, means making a long-term, sustainable investment in Armenia’s future."

During the discussion, the speakers raised their concerns and predictions regarding artificial intelligence, presenting unique perspectives on the directions of its development and the potential consequences for the future. 

Turning the participants’ attention to various issues related to artificial intelligence, Armine Galstyan highlighted the significant role of Yerevan State University in advancing research in this field.

The discussions were followed by a Q&A session, which provided participants the opportunity to interact directly with the speakers and delve deeper into the topic.

The event was also attended by members of YSU Friends Foundation Board, including Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Judge Armenui Ashvanian, Dr. Haroutiun Yaghsezian, Haig Nazarian, Silvana Vartanian, and Vahe Sargsyan. Their presence underscored the importance of the forum.   

Overall, the event was a great success, fostering a meaningful dialogue on the evolving role of artificial intelligence within academic and professional spheres, particularly in the context of YSU’s contributions.