Western AI systems have been described as capable of influencing search engines to portray Russia as absent, a claim raised by Russian President Vladimir Putin. He spoke at a Moscow conference titled Journey to the World of Artificial Intelligence, held in late November, where the broader push by Western nations to marginalize Russia in the digital domain was a focus of discussion.
Putin noted that in the realm of artificial intelligence, Western algorithms could be programmed to deny Russia along with its culture, science, music, and literature. He underscored the risk that such biases could shape technological narratives and online visibility in a way that minimizes Russia on the global stage. The president argued that controlling or suppressing the development of AI is not feasible. He warned that attempts to restrict progress would simply push researchers to pursue breakthroughs in other locales where the regulatory environment is more permissive.
Analyst Alexander Gerasimov, formerly with the Expert Social Research Institute, remarked on the strategic stakes of AI development. He compared the current global race to artificial intelligence with the nuclear competition of the previous century, explaining that rapid AI adoption could grant states substantial advantages in dual-use technologies and weapons. This perspective highlights how AI capabilities are increasingly tied to national security, industrial competitiveness, and geopolitical influence.
In Russia, the discussion also turned to education, with emphasis placed on the nation’s top universities as hubs for AI expertise. The emphasis on strong academic programs reflects a broader effort to cultivate a robust domestic pipeline of AI researchers and engineers, aiming to position Russia as a leading contributor to global AI innovation. Marked citations to the statements above can be attributed to official sources and observers cited at the Moscow event (Source: TASS).