In a significant development for artificial intelligence infrastructure, Firebird has inaugurated the largest AI factory in the CIS region, located in Armenia. This new facility is set to serve as a pivotal AI computing hub, utilizing NVIDIA's advanced computing technology alongside high-performance solutions from Dell Technologies.
The opening ceremony was attended by notable figures, including Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Zhaslan Madiyev, and David Allen, the acting U.S. chargé d'affaires in Armenia.
AI factories serve as essential frameworks for the current AI landscape, offering the necessary computing power required to train, refine, and deploy AI models across various industries in a scalable manner.
Developing Local AI Capabilities
While AI services are accessible worldwide, nations need the infrastructure to develop and implement AI tailored to their specific languages, industries, and strategic goals. Firebird's AI factory fulfills this need in Armenia, equipping developers, startups, and academic institutions with the computational resources vital for homegrown AI innovation.
By the end of 2027, Firebird aims to incorporate over 70,000 NVIDIA Rubin and Blackwell GPUs and 300 megawatts of AI capacity into its Armenian operations, propelling the country forward as a hub for AI research, advanced computing, and technological creativity.
"Our goal for the next couple of years is to achieve approximately 2 gigawatts of global capacity, with a particular focus on emerging markets," stated Alexander Yesayan, co-founder of Firebird.
To ensure sustainability at this scale, energy efficiency is crucial. The factory operates on the NVIDIA DSX platform, merging accelerated computing, networking, and power management into a singular, co-designed system. This setup allows for a more efficient GPU operation, generating additional computational power while maximizing the return on energy expenditures.
A Hub for Global AI and a Stimulus for Local Talent
Firebird's plans encompass more than a single location. With backing from NVIDIA, the company is creating a comprehensive 2-gigawatt AI infrastructure blueprint that extends beyond Armenia into Kazakhstan and other regions.
Additionally, NVIDIA has announced an intention to invest in Firebird after a previous investment from CoreWeave earlier this year. These financial injections are aimed at broadening Firebird’s global reach and enhancing its operational infrastructure while establishing prominent computing clusters in burgeoning markets.
The swift establishment of the Armenian AI factory, completed in just over six months, highlights Firebird’s capability to transform ambitious infrastructure visions into functional AI capacity with remarkable efficiency.
Supporting this initiative, Schneider Electric has provided the essential power infrastructure for Firebird’s plant in Hrazdan, enabling the company to expedite its deployment schedule by delivering and installing vital components like medium- and low-voltage switchgear, three-phase uninterruptible power supplies, and rack enclosures. This ensures a timely power buildout that aligns with computational demands, allowing large-scale NVIDIA computing capabilities to come online seamlessly.
For maintaining optimal temperature conditions, Vertiv has supplied a cooling solution that integrates chilled-water systems, sophisticated controls, and Vertiv TrimCooler technology for effective heat management. Their iCOM CWM Chilled Water Manager enhances operational efficiency by centralizing cooling management, ensuring effective responses to variable demands posed by AI workloads.
Early interest in the facility is evident from AI-focused companies, such as Perplexity, which is collaborating with Firebird to leverage this high-performance infrastructure for its AI solutions.
As global dependence on AI infrastructure grows, Firebird's expansion holds the potential to position the CIS region as an attractive destination for international AI enterprises while fostering local development and innovation.
Utilizing NVIDIA’s comprehensive AI factory platform, which encompasses reference architecture, accelerated computing, networking, and software—deployed on Dell PowerEdge servers—the new Firebird AI factory in Armenia is poised to convert energy into intelligence, linking local innovations with the worldwide AI ecosystem.
