Russia is actively participating in the global AI race, seeking to bolster its position alongside leading nations like the United States and China. This pursuit is particularly focused on generative AI and other advanced AI technologies. However, Russia’s progress has been impeded by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has led to a brain drain of skilled professionals and imposed Western sanctions affecting high-tech imports.
President Vladimir Putin, addressing an AI conference in Moscow alongside Sberbank CEO German Gref this week, discussed the need for Russia to avoid falling behind in AI development. He highlighted the importance of not allowing the West to monopolize AI, announcing plans for a more ambitious Russian AI strategy.
Putin pointed out the ethical and social challenges of AI but rejected the idea of banning it.
“You cannot ban something — if we ban it then it will develop somewhere else and we will fall behind,” said Putin of AI at the conference, before adding: “Of course, the monopoly and domination of such systems, such alien systems are unacceptable and dangerous.”
He also criticized Western online search systems and generative models for neglecting or disregarding the Russian language and culture, effectively erasing Russia’s presence in the digital domain.
Despite these challenges, Russia remains determined to become a significant player in AI. This aspiration is evidenced by Putin’s praise for companies like Sberbank and Yandex, which have made strides in developing their own generative AI and language models. These developments are seen as crucial for integrating AI across various sectors of the Russian economy.
“In all spheres of our life, humanity is beginning a new chapter of its existence,” said Putin, though realizing Russia must enhance its approach and performance in the field of AI, elevating both its goals and implementation. “In the very near future, as one of the first steps, a presidential decree will be signed and a new version of the national strategy for the development of artificial intelligence will be approved.”
Putin also stated that Russian researchers need enhanced access to supercomputers, which should be significantly upgraded. He also emphasized the need for improvements in Russia’s top-level scientific education in AI. Additionally, he mentioned that Russia would require changes in laws, increased international cooperation, and considerably more investment in AI development.
Gref, in his role at Sberbank, has been pivotal in transforming the institution from a traditional Soviet-era entity into a modern tech powerhouse, investing heavily in AI, cloud services, big data, and smart devices. His efforts have proven financially successful, with substantial returns from AI investments. However, the overall landscape remains challenging for Russia due to international isolation and the ongoing domestic impacts of the war in Ukraine.
