At the awards ceremony, Alexander Vedyakhin, First Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors at Sberbank, noted that the stance of artificial intelligence in the Federation Council – Chamber of Regions journalist competition largely matched the views of other jury members. The crowds of ideas and the direction of the debate reflected a shared understanding among human judges and the AI system involved in the process.
The executive highlighted gratitude to the Federation Council and Valentina Ivanovna for inviting them to participate as members of the competition jury for the GigaChat service. This experience offered a fresh perspective and proved to be a meaningful learning curve for the team. He observed that their AI-related assessments aligned with those of fellow jurors, reinforcing confidence in how AI can inform professional evaluations. Russia remains a leading force in artificial intelligence development, supported by dynamic companies and lawmakers who recognize the strategic value of this technology. This collaborative momentum has helped push the country forward and accelerate the adoption of AI in critical sectors.
Vedyakhin emphasized that the journalist competition serves as a platform to identify and elevate standout journalistic talent. It creates a bridge between creative reporting and advanced technology, encouraging practitioners to experiment with data-driven storytelling and AI-assisted enhancement of journalistic work.
The Federation Council President, Valentina Matvienko, also underscored the practical benefits of integrating AI into the evaluation process. AI voices are not the sole determinant in professional judgments, but they provide a supplementary signal that is considered alongside human assessment. The experience has been described as insightful and valuable for shaping how editorial excellence is measured.
The journalist competition has returned for a second edition with the support of the Russian Union of Journalists. This year, Sber took on the role of technology partner, and Sber’s neural network model, GigaChat, played a part in the jury. The involvement of a leading AI model in the evaluation process demonstrates the growing collaboration between media professionals and advanced AI tools in contemporary journalism.
A total of more than 250 submissions were received across four categories: Focus on the Federation Council, Under the Agendas, A Year in the Life of the Country, and Journalism. The call for entries closed on December 1, 2023, drawing a diverse mix of essays, reports, and multimedia materials. The competition attracted a wide array of perspectives, including new voices making their mark in the field and seasoned reporters who showcased longevity and depth.
The winners were acknowledged with prizes from the Federation Council and received smart speakers from Sber, symbolizing the hybrid future of media where human expertise meets intelligent tools. This blend of recognition and technology signals a forward-looking approach to journalism in which AI-assisted analysis complements human creativity and ethical reporting.