Developing Artificial Intelligence in Russia: Objectives and Reality

Russia's leaders have been paying close attention to artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for several years now. President Vladimir Putin has said on numerous occasions that the leader in the field of AI would become "the master of the world." Until recently, however, Russia remained virtually the only large country without its own AI development strategy. That changed in October 2019, when the country adopted a long-discussed National Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence Through 2030. One of the driving forces behind the strategy was Sberbank president German Gref. The state-owned bank has also developed a road map for developing AI in Russia and coordinated the creation of Russia's AI development strategy, which is largely corporate, involving the internet giants Yandex and Mail.ru