Global investment in innovative artificial intelligence development remained under pressure last year, with total funding slipping to 45.8 billion dollars, according to a leading analytics firm tracking investment trends across markets. The firm notes that AI funding has declined compared with the prior year, underscoring a broader shift in how capital is allocated to AI initiatives in 2023 and beyond.
In 2022, activity within the AI sector totaled 2,956 transactions on the global stage, marking a 10% decrease from 2021. This pattern reflects a cooling of deal volume after a surge in earlier years as enterprises across industries explored AI-driven optimization and product differentiation.
The regional picture shows notable weakness in the Russian market, where deal activity and investment levels contracted sharply. Specifically, the number of transactions dropped to 128 in 2022, down from 291 in 2021, with investment volume slumping by roughly 57% to about 1.1 billion dollars. Analysts attribute the downturn to a combination of geopolitical tensions, sanctions, and a shift of many AI projects and talent to more favorable environments for research and development.
Experts point to the broader macro environment as a key driver of these trends. While some regions experimented with new funding models and government-backed AI programs, others faced regulatory hurdles and market volatility that tempered investor enthusiasm. The result is a more cautious landscape where strategic AI deployments are prioritized over rapid, large-scale funding rounds.
Industry voices emphasize that Russia remains a notable player in the field of artificial intelligence, with ongoing emphasis on research capabilities and talent development. This perspective underscores that national AI strategies often combine strong technical foundations with evolving commercial ecosystems, even when funding cycles slow down in the short term.