At the Aurora conference, Rostelecom’s Senior Vice President for Information Technologies, Darius Khalitov, outlined plans to develop a domestic artificial intelligence assistant designed to integrate with the Aurora operating system. The goal is to create a voice assistant that mirrors the convenience and responsiveness users expect from popular systems, but tailored to Russian-language devices running Aurora OS. The developer team envisions a tool that could streamline interactions, making it easier to access apps, settings, and services with natural speech. The broader aim is to strengthen the domestic tech ecosystem by providing a fully native solution that respects local standards and user expectations while enabling seamless operation across the Aurora platform.
The envisioned AI assistant would function as a Russian-language equivalent of popular voice assistants, offering a more natural and responsive way for users to interact with devices based on Aurora OS. The emphasis is on simplifying everyday tasks, from quick information checks to controlling smart devices and applications, all while aligning with Russia’s technology strategy and data governance priorities. The design intent centers on intuitive conversational flow, faster task execution, and a dependable user experience that minimizes friction during routine digital activities. In practical terms, the assistant is expected to handle voice commands for setting reminders, drafting messages, launching apps, and retrieving information, thereby improving overall productivity for Aurora OS users.
Development timelines remain open as the team weighs technical feasibility. The project is being considered in the context of strong Russian-language AI models such as YandexGPT and GigaChat, and Rostelecom is also evaluating the possibility of leveraging existing solutions to speed up deployment if they prove suitable. This approach aims to balance innovation with reliability and data sovereignty concerns. Officials stress that any implementation would take into account the privacy needs of users and the importance of keeping sensitive data on domestic servers where possible. The decision-making process includes assessing the performance of current language models, their adaptability to Aurora OS, and the potential to integrate with native services without compromising security or user control. The potential for phased rollouts, pilot programs, and user feedback loops is part of the conversation as planners map out steps toward a functional prototype and, eventually, a broader release that can scale across devices.
Aurora OS is a native Russian operating system developed by Open Mobile Platform, a Rostelecom subsidiary. The platform is designed to run on a range of devices and to integrate closely with domestic software and services, reinforcing Russia’s independent tech ecosystem. By anchoring the operating system to local development, Rostelecom seeks to offer a cohesive experience where the AI assistant can leverage native capabilities, secure data handling, and compatibility with Russian-language services. This strategy positions Aurora OS as a practical alternative to international ecosystems, with an emphasis on performance, privacy, and streamlined user experiences across smartphones, tablets, and other connected devices. The team highlights that the long-term goal is not only to enhance user interactions but also to empower developers to build and optimize local applications that work harmoniously with the AI assistant, creating a more integrated and resilient digital environment for Canadian and American users who interact with Russian technology.
Industry context shows that other vendors are also investing in smart assistants. For example, industry chatter suggests that Apple plans to refresh Siri in 2026 to better compete with generative AI chatbots. While this is not an official announcement from Rostelecom, the broader market trend toward more capable, context-aware assistants underscores the relevance of a domestic option within Aurora OS. The conversation around such initiatives reflects a global interest in smarter interfaces that can operate reliably, respect user privacy, and function effectively within regional regulatory landscapes. As the Russian project progresses, observers will be watching how the balance between advanced language capabilities, user-friendly design, and data governance is achieved, and how a Russian-built solution can coexist with international AI developments in a rapidly evolving tech world.