AUA and State Revenue Committee Sign Memorandum of Understanding

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YEREVAN, Armenia — On April 17, the American University of Armenia (AUA) and State Revenue Committee (SRC) of the Republic of Armenia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during a workshop titled “AI/ML Applications in the State Revenue Committee of Armenia,” showcasing the outcomes of the SRC’s ongoing collaborations with AUA and the World Bank in advancing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in public sector governance.

Held at the Akian Art Gallery, the event brought together leading researchers, policymakers, and technology experts to share insights, present research findings, and explore future opportunities for cooperation. Over the past five years, the SRC has actively pursued data-driven innovation, partnering with academic and international institutions to enhance the efficiency and transparency of Armenia’s tax administration.

The standout moment of the event was the signing of the MoU, which marks an important milestone in institutional cooperation, laying the foundation for a more structured and sustained partnership in the areas of technology, research, and capacity building. The agreement was signed by AUA President Dr. Bruce Boghosian and SRC Chair Eduard Hakobyan, reaffirming the shared commitment to harnessing academic expertise and innovation in support of public sector transformation.

Following the signing ceremony, welcoming remarks were delivered by Dr. Boghosian and Hakobyan, along with Dr. Vache Gabrielyan, dean of AUA’s Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics (CBE); Dr. Dimitris Bertsimas, professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-founder of Interpretable AI; Carolin Geginat, World Bank country manager for Armenia; and Arman Vatyan, task team leader for the World Bank’s PSMP4 project.

The workshop began with a technical session focused on the ML/AI system recently implemented at the SRC by a joint team of Boston-based Interpretable AI and Yerevan-based  Daniam LLC and financed by the World Bank. Daisy Zhou, chief data scientist at Interpretable AI, presented key components of the system, including audit models, anomaly detection algorithms, and tools for extracting structured data from transactional documents. Khuram Farooq, GovTech global lead at the World Bank, also shared reflections on the growing role of AI and ML in modernizing public administration.

During the final session, Dr. Vardan Baghdasaryan, associate professor in CBE, presented key findings from collaborative research with the SRC’s IT department. His talk covered the development of fraud detection models and the initial application of natural language processing techniques to analyze transactional documents. He also emphasized the spillovers from academic research to the applications in the newly developed ML/AI system. 

The workshop concluded with a Q&A session and a discussion on future directions for collaboration. The event highlighted the power of cross-sector partnerships in driving innovation, improving governance, and shaping the future of digital public services in Armenia.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.