Armenia is preparing to launch a major artificial intelligence (AI) data centre in the city of Hrazdan, with the first phase of the project involving $500mn in investment and thousands of high-performance computing processors, the Ministry of High-Tech Industry said.

High-Tech Industry Minister Mkhitar Hayrapetyan visited Firebird AI’s AB Factory on July 28, where he reviewed preparations for operations, technological infrastructure and high-performance computing systems ahead of the official opening.

The first phase of the project will deploy 6,144 NVIDIA Blackwell-generation graphics processors, while total investment is expected to reach around $5bn by the completion of the second phase, adding about 42,000 more processors, the ministry said.

During the visit, Hayrapetyan said the project would play an important role in strengthening Armenia’s technology sector and international competitiveness.

“This strategic project implemented by Firebird is of great importance in terms of Armenia's technological development and increasing international competitiveness, creating new opportunities for the scientific and research community, startups, high-tech companies, and the public sector,” the ministry quoted the minister as saying.

Firebird AI co-founder Alexander Yesayan accompanied Hayrapetyan during the tour, where they discussed the project’s future development stages.

The minister later wrote on Facebook that the facility’s launch was approaching.

“What seemed impossible months ago is now a reality. Firebird AI company's ‘AB factory’ in Hrazdan city will be operated days later,” Hayrapetyan said.

The ministry said cooperation between the Armenian government and Firebird AI was helping transform the country from a technology consumer into a developer of advanced AI products and solutions for global markets.