YSU graduate Vazgen Mikayelyan on his formula for success: knowledge, perseverance, and the right choice

"My path to YSU seemed to be determined long ago" 

According to Vazgen Mikayelyan, mathematics did not enter his life by chance. He grew up in a family of mathematicians; both of his parents graduated from the YSU Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics and taught at the university for many years.

"From childhood, mathematics was not just a subject for me. It was a way of thinking, an environment, a lifestyle. In my final years at school, while also applying to various universities abroad, I had a strong inner conviction that I should continue my education in Armenia. And if mathematics, then only at YSU. When applying, I listed only the tuition-free and tuition-based options at the YSU Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics. I did not consider any other option," he said. 

From his school years, he actively participated in mathematics Olympiads and international competitions. This path continued at university, where he represented YSU in various mathematical Olympiads as part of the university team.

"Olympiads were not just competitions. They shaped a way of thinking, diligence, and an approach to problem-solving. Throughout this journey, my father — renowned mathematician and lecturer Gagik Mikayelyan — as well as my lecturers Karen Keryan and Mikayel Poghosyan played a major role. Their advice and approaches had a serious impact on my professional development," he noted.

From theoretical mathematics to artificial intelligence

Although mathematics remained his core interest, over time Mikayelyan began to consider a field where deep knowledge could be combined with modern technologies.

"I have always seen how devotedly my parents taught," he said, "but I also wanted to find a field where mathematics would have strong practical value. At that time, artificial intelligence was barely discussed in Armenia. In 2017, a friend informed me that Armenian Code Academy was launching AI courses. At that moment, I realized this was the direction I had been looking for."

That decision became a turning point in his life. After completing the courses, he joined PicsArt, and just six months later moved to Krisp, where he has now worked for around eight years.

"Everything was new then; much had to be learned independently"

Mikayelyan recalls that while educational opportunities in artificial intelligence are now much more developed, the situation was entirely different just a few years ago. 

"At that time, there were no established programs, university tracks, or enough specialists. Much had to be learned independently. The biggest challenge for me was transitioning from theoretical mathematics to an applied field — understanding how mathematical thinking could be used to solve real-world problems," he said.

According to him, several key turning points shaped his career: active involvement in Olympiads, entry into artificial intelligence, and especially joining Krisp.

"When I moved to Krisp, I had doubts because I was already working at an established company, but that decision turned out to be one of the best I have ever made. There I experienced significant professional and intellectual growth," he noted.

Continuous ties with YSU 

Despite his professional workload, Mikayelyan has maintained his connection with the university by supervising graduation theses and participating in various academic initiatives.

"I have never left YSU. I have taught at the university for years, participated in conferences, and worked with students. For me, passing on experience is very important, especially to early-career specialists," he said.

"AI does not replace humans; it expands their capabilities"

Speaking about the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence, Mikayelyan is convinced that the future belongs to those who can not only use AI tools but also leverage them to expand their own knowledge and skills.

"Many people today fear that AI will replace humans, but in reality we should think not about replacement, but about increased productivity. The most important thing is deep specialization. You need to choose one field and truly master it, using AI as a tool to develop and expand your knowledge," he said.

According to him, in today's labor market, a strong CV alone is no longer sufficient.

"The most important question today is: what can you actually create? What projects have you implemented, what problems have you solved? Employers often evaluate exactly that," he added.

Mikayelyan's story shows that success is based not only on talent, but also on the willingness to make bold decisions, the desire for continuous learning, and staying true to one's interests. And for him, that journey began — and continues to be anchored in — Yerevan State University.