Implementation of state services on smart speakers could be rolled out within three years, according to Maksut Shadayev, head of the Ministry of Digital Development. The statement was reported by TASS. He pointed to a trajectory where voice-guided government assistance becomes a common feature in daily life while maintaining traditional channels for those who prefer them.
As an illustrative example, Shadayev cited Yandex’s voice assistant Alice. He noted that Alice is capable of providing simple guidance and performing certain tasks, signaling a broader shift toward conversational interfaces in public services.
Shadayev emphasized that the traditional Gosuslugi internet portal will continue to operate. Citizens who favor standard online access to government services will still be able to rely on Gosuslugi without any disruption.
Earlier, the government announced the start of the Online Business Creation service, a platform enabling entrepreneurs to register through biometric data. Beginning March 1, the project will allow merchants to obtain electronic signatures without visiting the headquarters of the Russian Federal Tax Service or opening a bank account. The service will run in an experimental mode for 12 months, extending until March 1, 2025. This plan reflects a broader push to streamline startup procedures and reduce barriers for new enterprises while ensuring biometric verification aligns with security requirements.
At the end of January, the Ministry of Digital Development proposed creating a regional segment of a unified biometric system in Moscow. The ministry clarified that this regional segment would be part of the existing biometric framework and could be established at the request of a regional authority. The same security safeguards that apply to the broader biometric system would govern the regional component, underscoring a centralized approach to identity verification across jurisdictions.
In related developments, experts have weighed the implications of moving away from traditional manual processes toward automated and biometric-based services within public administration. The transition is framed as a modernization effort designed to improve accessibility, speed, and reliability of government interactions, while balancing concerns about privacy and data protection in a national-scale digital ecosystem. The discussions reflect a strategic bet on scalable digital infrastructure that can support both everyday citizen needs and business registration workflows, with careful attention to legal and regulatory alignment across federal and regional levels. (TASS)