Three Russian scientists, five companies, and nine regions emerged as winners of the inaugural National Artificial Intelligence Leaders Award, a landmark recognition held during the international forum focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning, known as the Artificial Intelligence Journey.
High-level attendees at the ceremony included Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Dmitry Chernyshenko, Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Maksut Shadayev, and Sergey Plugotarenko, the General Director of ANO Digital Economy. Their presence underscored the event’s national significance and its role in shaping Russia’s AI strategy.
President Vladimir Putin had directed the creation of an award to honor breakthroughs in AI during the most recent AIJ Forum, emphasizing both scientific advancement and practical deployment. This year saw close to 300 projects enter the competition, with expectations that the submission pool will grow in the coming years. The organizers highlighted that domestic AI solutions are already being put to real use across industries, with roughly seven in ten participating companies initiating processes to ensure safe and reliable AI integration. Regions too are crafting supportive environments to accelerate AI adoption, aligning with national priorities for innovation and economic resilience.
In the Scientists’ Award category, each of the three prize recipients received one million rubles in recognition of their substantial contributions to AI research. The prize money aims to celebrate discoveries that push the boundaries of what artificial intelligence can achieve in both theory and experimentation, reinforcing Russia’s standing in the global AI research community.
Maksut Shadayev noted that the 167 applications submitted to the Company Award category reflect a vibrant and fearless corporate landscape in Russia. The participants span a range of sizes and sectors, united by a willingness to experiment with new AI technologies. The AI Leaders Award honored five companies that demonstrated the strongest integration of AI systems into business processes, delivering measurable economic impact and showing strong potential for replication across industries.
Winners in the Regions Award category were organizations that tackled socially important challenges through machine learning and data analysis. Among the honored regions were Tatarstan, Lipetsk, Sakhalin, Bashkortostan, Ugra, Belgorod, Moscow, Yakutia, and Tyumen, each highlighted for projects that improved public services, governance, or community well-being through intelligent applications.
The substantial number of applications and the competitive environment surrounding the award illustrate a broader push toward AI adoption beyond large corporations. Small and medium enterprises are increasingly participating, signaling wide-based momentum. Alexander Vedyakhin, First Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors at Sberbank, commented that the President’s vision is already taking shape through practical initiatives and deployments across the economy.
The award is organized by the Digital Economy ANO and the Artificial Intelligence Alliance in collaboration with support from the Russian government. It serves to recognize pioneering AI research and to showcase outstanding implementations of AI in both commercial ventures and government projects, reinforcing the role of artificial intelligence as a driver of economic growth and public sector efficiency.