YEREVAN, Armenia — From July 24 to 25, the Zaven P. and Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering (ACSE) at the American University of Armenia (AUA) hosted the inaugural PyData and PyCon Yerevan 2026, welcoming researchers, software engineers, data scientists, AI practitioners, students, and technology enthusiasts from Armenia and around the world for two days of learning, collaboration, and community.
Bringing together the globally recognized PyData and PyCon communities under one event for the first time in Armenia, the conference featured a rich technical program covering Python, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, software engineering, MLOps, cloud technologies, robotics, and related fields. More than 35 speakers from leading universities, research institutions, and technology companies shared their expertise through keynote talks and technical sessions, offering participants the opportunity to explore both cutting-edge research and real-world industry applications.
Dr. Reza Malekian, dean of ACSE, reflected on the conference and its role for Armenia. “PyData & PyCon Yerevan 2026 was more than a successful technology conference; it reflected the growing role Armenia can play in the international technology and research community. We are proud to bring together an international community of researchers, engineers, students, and industry leaders around the technologies that are shaping the future of computing, data science, and artificial intelligence,” he said. “Beyond the technical knowledge shared during these two days, the conference created valuable opportunities for networking and collaboration across academia, industry, and the open-source community. It also reflects our continued commitment to strengthening AUA’s role as a regional hub for innovation, research, and advanced technological education,” he highlighted.
Among the keynote speakers was Ines Montani, co-founder and CEO of Explosion and one of the creators of the widely used natural language processing library spaCy. In her keynote, she shared insights into the development of modern NLP tools, open-source software, and the future of language technologies, drawing on years of experience building products used by millions of developers worldwide.
The conference also featured a keynote by Dr. Gor Hayrapetyan, staff data engineer at ServiceTitan, who spoke about the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship. Drawing from his experience building AI-driven products and startups, he discussed how emerging technologies are reshaping industries and highlighted the importance of innovation, adaptability, and building solutions with real-world impact.
In addition to the keynote talks, attendees participated in presentations and discussions covering a wide range of topics, including large language models, computer vision, natural language processing, data engineering, cloud infrastructure, robotics, cybersecurity, MLOps, and software development. Throughout the two days, the conference created valuable opportunities for researchers, students, and industry professionals to exchange ideas, build new connections, and strengthen collaboration across academia and industry.
Dr. Habet Madoyan, co-founder of PyData Yerevan and chair of AUA’s Bachelor of Science in Data Science program, highlighted how the conference has progressed and evolved over time. “When we started PyData Yerevan, the idea was simple: create a place where people working with data could meet, learn from each other, and share what they know. PyData and PyCon Yerevan is the next step. We now have people coming to Yerevan from different countries to share their work, while our local community has the opportunity to be part of an international conference without leaving Armenia. For me, that is the most important result,” he said.
The event also featured an exhibition area where leading technology companies showcased their products, services, career opportunities, and research initiatives. Participants had the opportunity to interact directly with company representatives, learn about ongoing projects, and explore internship and employment opportunities within Armenia’s growing technology sector.
Dr. Ruben Manukyan, president of PYerevan and chief technology officer at VXSoft LLC, emphasized the importance of community-driven initiatives. “In the corporate world, companies often look for immediate numbers and quick returns on sponsorships. But with community initiatives like PyData and PyCon Yerevan, real value cannot be measured on a spreadsheet right away. The true benefit comes from building an open space where engineers and researchers share knowledge freely,” he remarked. “That kind of growth takes time, but its long-term impact is huge. By supporting our local community, we help build stronger technical talent for the future. In the end, when the community grows, every tech company in our ecosystem benefits,” he noted.
The conference was co-organized by the ACSE in collaboration with PyData Global and NumFOCUS. The event was made possible through the support of its sponsors, including VXSoft LLC (Diamond Sponsor), Wirestock and WorldQuant (Platinum Sponsors), Plat.ai and Salmon Group LLC (Gold Sponsors), as well as the conference’s community partners, QGis Armenia, juliacon.am, and research.am, whose contributions played an important role in making the event a success.
The conference also welcomed the support of Intelinair and Mayflower, which participated through corporate ticket packages. Their involvement enabled members of their teams to attend the conference, engage with international speakers, explore the latest developments in Python, AI, and data science, and connect with the broader technology community, demonstrating their commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Together with a dedicated organizing committee, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners, months of planning resulted in two days of technical sessions, networking opportunities, and meaningful discussions that brought together participants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
As the inaugural PyData & PyCon Yerevan, the conference marked an important milestone for Armenia’s technology community. By bringing together internationally recognized experts, industry leaders, researchers, students, and technology enthusiasts, it created a platform for learning, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas. The conference also reaffirmed AUA’s and ACSE’s commitment to advancing research, innovation, and technology education while strengthening Armenia’s presence on the global technology map.
The organizers extend their sincere gratitude to all speakers, sponsors, partners, volunteers, and participants whose enthusiasm and contributions made PyData and PyCon Yerevan 2026 possible. As the conference came to a close, it left behind not only two days of technical discussions, but also new collaborations, fresh ideas, and a growing community that will continue to shape the future of technology in Armenia and beyond.
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 (WSCUC) 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.
