Russia is positioning itself to be among the world’s top nations in artificial intelligence as part of a broader push to modernize its economy and safeguard national interests. In a formal address to the State Duma, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin outlined a vision in which AI becomes a strategic engine for the country’s development rather than a mere tool. The government’s work plan elevates AI as a core priority across multiple sectors, aiming to build homegrown capabilities that reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and strengthen data sovereignty. The message, framed in policy detail and long-term planning, signals a sustained commitment to nurturing domestic researchers, harnessing local talent, and accelerating the deployment of intelligent technologies in industry, government, and everyday life. It is a plan to translate scientific effort into tangible benefits for citizens while aligning with international standards, safety norms, and responsible innovation. The overarching aim is to create an ecosystem where education, research, and industry work in concert to produce durable competitive advantages.
Two Russian AI models are described as among the best in performance and quality, signaling notable progress for domestic developers. Mishustin noted these achievements as proof that national teams can compete with world-leading actors. The emphasis centers on reliable accuracy, resilience in complex tasks, and the ability to operate across diverse environments. The government presents these models as milestones within a broader program to strengthen the domestic AI ecosystem: advanced computing infrastructure, large-scale data governance within strict privacy rules, and a steady supply of skilled professionals who can design, train, and refine intelligent systems. The goal is to turn technical advances into practical capabilities that bolster security, economic sovereignty, and the capacity to deliver high-value services without over-reliance on external platforms.
Independence in AI requires reducing reliance on foreign suppliers, Mishustin said. The plan envisions building sovereign AI infrastructure that supports critical sectors such as energy, manufacturing, transport, and health care. Achieving this will demand solving a set of challenges, including access to high-quality data, rigorous cyber protections, the expansion of domestic talent pools, and a supportive policy environment that aligns public and private investment with long-term aims. The strategy calls for a staged transition from dependence to autonomy, guided by incentives for local developers, safety and interoperability standards, and a governance framework that accelerates experimentation while protecting public interests. Practically, this means launching pilot projects, boosting AI literacy among civil servants and engineers, and strengthening ties between universities and industry to convert research breakthroughs into scalable applications.
Mishustin also emphasized that AI growth should accompany retraining and upskilling of workers, not shrink employment. The objective is to equip people with the competencies to work effectively with intelligent systems and to create roles that leverage automation rather than be displaced by it. Initiatives for continuous learning, apprenticeship programs, and targeted qualifications would help workers transition into positions requiring higher-order decision making, data interpretation, and oversight of automated processes. The broader view treats AI as a catalyst for productivity, innovation, and new career pathways, rather than a threat to livelihoods.
The government’s stance is clear: Russia aspires to a leadership position in AI development, with domestic models already competing with international analogues in certain benchmarks. The framing positions AI as a central driver of modernization and national competitiveness, not a narrow research pursuit. The progress described is presented as a proof point that cutting-edge technologies can reshape the labor market, supply chains, and public services in ways that empower citizens and businesses alike. The implication is that AI will accelerate the reconstruction of the workforce, expanding demand for high-skill roles in design, testing, deployment, and governance of intelligent systems, while reducing the friction of importing foreign technology. In short, AI is treated as a strategic national asset that strengthens productive networks and public administration in a rapidly digitalizing world.
A senior foreign policy voice inside the government warned that if artificial intelligence runs unchecked, it could pose serious risks. This remark reflects a widely held concern about the potential for powerful automation to outpace safeguards or be misused. It signals that responsible governance, safety protocols, and ongoing international dialogue on norms and accountability are essential components of any rapid AI rollout. The point is not to halt innovation but to proceed with clear guardrails, robust testing, and a watchful eye on societal consequences as AI technologies proliferate.
Earlier remarks from the leadership of the Russian Hydrometeorological Center highlighted skepticism about replacing meteorologists with automated systems. While AI can enhance weather forecasting, the center’s leadership cautioned against abandoning professional judgment and domain expertise. The discussion underscores a practical tension across essential services: technology can augment expertise and speed, but human oversight remains indispensable for reliability, accountability, and nuanced interpretation of data. In this view, AI should support skilled professionals rather than supplant them, particularly in fields like weather forecasting and climate monitoring.”