The 11th Armenian Internet Governance Forum, ArmIGF2026, took place in Yerevan on November 6 under the theme “AI: From Innovation to Responsible Governance.” The Forum brought together representatives of government institutions, the private sector, the technical community, academia, and civil society.
The Forum was organized by the Internet Society NGO and the Internet Society Armenia Chapter, at the initiative of the Interagency Group on Internet Governance of the Republic of Armenia.
Representatives of international partner organizations, including the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), the global Internet Society, the Internet Society Foundation, the IGF Support Association (IGFSA) Executive Committee, ICANN, RIPE NCC, and the Coordination Center for .RU/.РФ domains, sent welcoming messages to the organizers and participants of ArmIGF2026.
In their messages, they emphasized the importance of the multistakeholder model of Internet governance and its effective implementation in Armenia. They noted that national platforms provide opportunities not only to participate in global discussions but also to bring local challenges and priorities to the international agenda. The partners also reflected on ArmIGF’s work over the past 11 years and Armenia’s presence and contribution to international Internet governance processes, highlighting the importance of continued cooperation in support of an Internet that is sustainable, accessible, secure, open, and unified.
The agenda addressed a range of issues related to the state of Armenia’s digital infrastructure, Internet access, the application, development, and governance of artificial intelligence, personal data protection, and the safe use of digital services.
“Growing interest in artificial intelligence creates new opportunities for research, business, investment, and international cooperation. At the same time, the challenges are also increasing. As representatives of the Internet community, we have a responsibility to identify these challenges today and propose solutions for future development. This is one of the important directions for our country’s security and development,” said Igor Mkrtumyan, Chairman of the Board of the Internet Society NGO.
Particular attention during the Forum was given to the security and uninterrupted operation of critical information infrastructure. Discussions focused on how Armenia can develop and protect this infrastructure while ensuring the continuity of essential services.
Speakers emphasized that coordinated efforts are necessary to identify cyber incidents in a timely manner and respond to them appropriately. Relevant professional institutions need to work closely together to achieve this.
Forum participants stressed that such cooperation becomes even more important as the use of artificial intelligence expands. Technological developments and decisions concerning their application can have a direct impact on people’s rights, security, and everyday lives. At the same time, the use of AI raises new questions related to personal data protection, cybersecurity, and trust in digital services.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of improving public digital literacy and raising awareness. Participants noted that increasing citizens’ awareness, developing digital skills, and promoting safe online behavior are essential to reducing potential risks and threats in the digital environment.
Alongside ArmIGF2026, the youth forum YouthIGF Armenia 2026 was also held under the theme “AI Tools: Bridging the Gap to the Job Market | Tech2Skills.” Young participants discussed how professional skills and competencies can be aligned with the changing demands of the labor market in the age of artificial intelligence, as well as how to promote the responsible and critical use of AI tools.
As part of the Light Talk session, representatives of Armenian IT companies presented their AI projects and shared insights into the skills they expect young professionals to have. The discussion entitled “Creating with AI, Thinking Independently: Where Does Responsibility Begin and End?” also offered an opportunity to explore the balance between technological capabilities and human responsibility.
