AI education in Armenia goes nationwide to empower students with 21st-century

After the successful completion of the pilot phases of the ‘Generation AI’ and ‘STEP.ai’ school programs, Armenian education authorities plan to make them—and other programs with similar content—available to all public education institutions across the country.

Aimed at building a comprehensive career pipeline for the next generation of AI researchers and innovators, Generation AI begins at the high school level to doctoral level.

“The integration of artificial intelligence into the education system is inevitable; therefore, the Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports is currently working on developing the appropriate tools and frameworks,” the Ministry told Armenpress.

“A roadmap has been developed that includes three main and interrelated directions aimed not only at transforming the education system, but also at shaping a creative generation capable of addressing the challenges of the future,” the ministry added.

Accordingly, short-term (general training and advanced professional training), medium-term (creation of a mentorship network), and long-term (institutionalization) targets have been established.

The integration of AI in education is considered in three main directions. The first is AI education, whose main goal is to ensure that both students and teachers acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to use AI effectively. The second direction aims to increase the overall efficiency of the education system through the use of AI tools. The third is education in the AI era, which requires a deep reconsideration of educational content and methodology, taking into account that as the world enters the AI era, the skills and competencies expected from individuals are also changing.

The ministry said that the ‘Generation AI’ school program has been implemented since 2023 by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports in cooperation with the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST). The program initially launched in 15 high schools across seven regions of the country, and the list of participating schools was later expanded to 26, covering all regions. In the 2025–2026 academic year, approximately 800 students are participating in the program.

It is expected that by the end of the program, as measurable final outcomes, students across the Republic of Armenia will be equipped with applied knowledge and skills in advanced mathematics (advanced algebra) in accordance with the requirements of the State Standard for General Education. In addition, they will possess 21st-century skills, such as critical thinking, teamwork, and skills in problem identification, problem-solving, and communication.

In addition, it is expected that AI literacy will expand among a larger number of beneficiaries, contributing to greater awareness and understanding of AI’s potential and the importance of the sector’s development in the country. It is anticipated that approximately 10–15% of high school students will acquire foundational knowledge in AI and develop motivation to specialize in and continue their education in this field. Ultimately, the program also aims to improve the education system through the implementation of innovative solutions.

Continuing the process of reforms in the field of artificial intelligence, on October 5, 2024, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Synopsys Armenia, the AGBU Armenian Virtual College, and the Union of Employers of Information and Communication Technology to implement the STEP.ai Science and Technology Education Program.

The Ministry clarified that this course provides comprehensive coverage of AI topics, adapted to the requirements set by the State Standard for General Education. Through the efforts of the Union of Employers of Information and Communication Technology, the course has been digitized and, in collaboration with the Armenian Virtual College, integrated into a digital platform, allowing students to access online lessons, interactive quizzes, laboratory exercises, and supplementary materials.

According to the Ministry, the program was piloted in a number of high schools, with the AI course delivered in a hybrid format that combines the advantages of both online and traditional teaching. By the 2025–2026 academic year, the program is being implemented in 15 schools across the Republic of Armenia.