An expert-level discussion titled "Prospects for Artificial Intelligence Development: Experience Sharing for Europe and Central Asia" took place in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, with the participation of Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence of the Republic of Armenia Gevorg Mantashyan.

The event was organized through collaboration between the World Bank Group, the European Commission, and the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization of the Republic of Moldova, within the framework of the "Connectivity Platform Meeting on Digital."

At the start of the discussion, Gaurav Nayyar, Director of the World Bank's 2026 World Development Report, presented the report titled "World Development Report 2026: The Promise of Artificial Intelligence." The report examines the potential of artificial intelligence for economic development, boosting productivity, improving public services, and creating new economic opportunities, as well as the key prerequisites for its effective deployment in developing countries.

The presentation of the report was followed by an expert panel discussion moderated by Isabel Neto, Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence Practice Manager at the World Bank. Participants in the discussion included Gaurav Nayyar, Director of the World Development Report 2026; Gevorg Mantashyan, Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence of the Republic of Armenia; Yerlan Omirzhan, Acting Director of the AI Department at the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan; and Alexandru Gozun, Team Leader of Moldova's AI Hub initiative, AmCham President, and PwC Director.

During the panel discussion, the speakers addressed the practical application of the report's recommendations in the Europe and Central Asia region, national priorities for AI development, necessary infrastructures, and opportunities for regional cooperation.

During the discussion, Gevorg Mantashyan presented Armenia’s approaches to developing artificial intelligence infrastructure, specifically referencing the conceptual frameworks of the "AI Factory Garden." The energy requirements necessary for establishing and effectively operating such infrastructures were also touched upon, underscoring the interconnection between energy capacities and the development of AI infrastructure.

The event emphasized the importance of advancing infrastructure, data accessibility, human capital, and relevant capacities necessary for AI deployment, as well as public-private partnerships to most effectively realize the economic and public value of these technologies.

The presentation of the World Bank’s 2026 World Development Report in Armenia is scheduled to be organized within the framework of the "DigiTec" technology exhibition, in collaboration with the Ministry of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence of the Republic of Armenia. The initiative will provide an opportunity to present the key provisions and recommendations of the report to representatives of Armenia’s public, private, and academic sectors, fostering professional discussion and cooperation around them.