Russian President Vladimir Putin directed the government to craft and execute a coordinated set of actions aimed at boosting the computational capacity of the country’s supercomputers and to establish specific benchmarks that will guide the expansion of this capacity. This directive is part of the sequence of instructions issued by the head of state after the 2013 conference titled Journey to the World of Artificial Intelligence, which was published on the Kremlin website. The move signals a deliberate policy push to strengthen Russia’s strategic capabilities in high-performance computing, with implications for scientific research, national security, and the broader digital economy. In practical terms, the plan calls for both hardware and software enhancements, along with governance mechanisms that ensure sustained progress toward more powerful and capable computing platforms across public and, where appropriate, partner institutions.
Alongside this, the Council of Ministers was tasked with designing mechanisms to leverage existing archives held by state and municipal bodies, as well as extensive library collections, to assemble data sets that can underpin machine-learning initiatives. The intention is to provide researchers and developers with free access to these data resources, enabling broader participation in AI development and reducing barriers to entry for institutions and individuals working on algorithmic models, data analysis, and reputable experiments. This emphasis on data availability reflects a recognition that high-quality, diverse data are essential drivers of progress in artificial intelligence research and practical applications, from analytics and forecasting to automation and decision-support systems.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin was designated as the executive lead responsible for implementing these directives, with a defined deadline to complete action steps by March 1 of the year in question. This assignment underscores the government’s expectation that concrete progress be tracked, reported, and evaluated within a concrete timetable, while also signaling senior leadership’s commitment to coordinating across ministries and agencies to align hardware upgrades, data infrastructure, and research programs under a unified national strategy for AI development and computational excellence.
In addition to operationalizing the upgrade agenda, Putin called for a formal examination by the Supreme Court and law-enforcement agencies of how artificial intelligence technologies are used in criminal investigations. The goal of this initiative appears to be ensuring that AI-assisted investigative methods comply with legal standards, protect civil liberties, and maintain public trust, while also exploring potential enhancements in the efficiency and effectiveness of evidence gathering and analytic capabilities within the justice system. The discussion around AI in law enforcement reflects broader questions about governance, accountability, and the responsible deployment of advanced analytical tools across state institutions.
Earlier communications from the president indicated the possibility of additional financing to support the ongoing development of artificial intelligence technologies. This financial clarity would help to sustain investments in research, talent development, and the deployment of AI-enabled solutions across government services and critical sectors. The focus remains on reinforcing Russia’s competitive position in AI by aligning funding with strategic priorities, including capacities in high-performance computing, data infrastructure, and ethical, reliable use of machine-learning systems in government contexts. The narrative also included a note about an artificial intelligence-themed New Year’s exhibit that highlighted the social and cultural dimensions of AI progress, illustrating how technological advancements intersect with public life and national storytelling about the future.”}