President Vladimir Putin of Russia emphasized the urgency for Russia to elevate its Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities, cautioning against the West’s monopolization in this realm. Speaking at the Artificial Intelligence Journey 2023 conference in Moscow, Putin underscored the imminent approval of an ambitious AI strategy for Russia, aimed at bolstering the nation’s position in the global AI landscape.
Acknowledging China and the United States as leaders in AI advancement, Putin highlighted setbacks faced by Russia, citing the impact of the Ukraine conflict, which led to a brain drain of skilled specialists and subsequent sanctions impeding technological imports.
Despite ethical concerns surrounding AI, Putin dismissed the possibility of banning its development, emphasizing the need for Russia to navigate these challenges while preserving traditional values. He criticized Western algorithms for overlooking Russian language and culture, warning against the dominance of such systems, labeling it as both unacceptable and perilous.
Putin’s address outlined a forthcoming presidential decree endorsing an updated national AI strategy, emphasizing the expansion of research in generative AI and language models. Stressing the need for improved access to supercomputers for Russian researchers and enhancements in scientific AI education, Putin highlighted the imperative nature of legislative changes, increased international cooperation, and augmented investments in AI development.
Commending companies like Sberbank and Yandex for their strides in AI and language model advancements, Putin urged further development and application of these technologies across economic sectors. Sberbank’s transformation, led by CEO German Gref, was cited as an example of significant AI investment, reportedly yielding considerable returns.
Putin’s call for a strategic overhaul aligns with the escalating global competition in AI, positioning Russia to amplify its role in this pivotal technological arena.
