Mishustin: Russia must build its own AI to keep digital sovereignty
In short
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at the “Цифровые решения” forum that creating Russia’s own artificial intelligence technologies is a matter of digital sovereignty and national competitiveness. He said Russia remains in the race of large foundation models and that dependence on other countries’ AI solutions is unacceptable. He also said large-scale AI adoption will require restructuring government processes, and promised state support for domestic AI innovation.
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Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at the “Цифровые решения” forum that the creation of Russia’s own artificial intelligence technologies is a question of digital sovereignty and national competitiveness, according to TASS and Vedomosti. TASS reported him as saying that dependence on AI solutions from other countries is inadmissible, and Vedomosti quoted him saying Russia “continues to remain in the race of large foundation models” and that a team of domestic engineers is achieving impressive results. [ 4 , 6 ]
Vedomosti reported that, in Mishustin’s account, states that claim leadership in AI restrict the transfer of technology, entrenching other countries’ dependence on their solutions, and that Russia cannot allow such a scenario for itself. [ 6 ]
RIA Novosti, reporting in separate items, said Mishustin described how the introduction of Russian AI would proceed, promised to facilitate the creation of AI innovations in the country, and said large-scale AI adoption would require restructuring government processes. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Vedomosti placed the remarks alongside earlier steps: on 26 July the president signed a law on supporting the development of AI technologies, regulating the development, introduction and use of large foundation models, and on 5 October Education Minister Sergey Kravtsov said his ministry would create a specialised AI in education, taking all risks into account, in response to a teacher’s proposal that the president had backed. [ 6 ]
Why it matters
The remarks set the government’s public line that AI development is a matter of sovereignty, not only of industry policy, which points to continued state backing for domestic foundation models. Vedomosti situates the statements alongside a July law on AI support and a planned education-sector AI, indicating the policy is moving into implementation across state functions and schools.
Key facts
- Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin spoke about the introduction of Russian AI at the “Цифровые решения” forum [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Mishustin said creating domestic AI technologies is a question of digital sovereignty and national competitiveness [ 4 , 6 ]
- Mishustin said dependence on AI solutions from other countries is unacceptable for Russia [ 4 , 6 ]
- Mishustin said large-scale AI adoption will require restructuring government processes [ 3 ]
- Mishustin said Russia will facilitate the creation of AI innovations in the country [ 2 ]
- Mishustin said Russia continues to remain in the race of large foundation models and that a team of domestic engineers is achieving impressive results [ 6 ]
- On 26 July the president signed a law on supporting AI technology development, covering the development, deployment and use of large foundation models [ 6 ]
- On 5 October the education ministry said it would create a specialised AI in education, taking all risks into account [ 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Mishustin addressed AI development in a speech at the “Цифровые решения” forum [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Mishustin said the creation of Russia’s own AI technologies is a matter of digital sovereignty and national competitiveness [ 4 , 6 ]
- Mishustin said Russia cannot accept dependence on other countries’ AI solutions [ 4 , 6 ]
- Mishustin said large-scale AI adoption will require restructuring government processes [ 3 ]
- Mishustin promised to help create AI innovations in Russia [ 2 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- The venue and date of the “Цифровые решения” forum, its participants and the concrete timetable for introducing Russian AI The documents consist of headlines and one article; RIA Novosti’s item on how the introduction will proceed carries only a headline with no article text
- What forms of state support were promised and whether any funding figures were given The documents report a promise to facilitate AI innovation but state no amounts, instruments or deadlines
- Which countries or restrictions Mishustin was referring to when he spoke about limits on technology transfer Only Vedomosti describes the argument, and it names no country or specific measure
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- RIA Novosti reports that Mishustin described how Russian AI will be introduced [ 1 ]
- RIA Novosti reports Mishustin’s promise to help create AI innovations in Russia [ 2 ]
- RIA Novosti reports that large-scale AI adoption will require restructuring government processes [ 3 ]
- TASS reports Mishustin saying dependence on other countries’ AI solutions is inadmissible and calling support for domestic technology a matter of competitiveness and digital sovereignty [ 4 ]
- RIA Novosti reports Mishustin stressing the importance of creating AI technologies in Russia [ 5 ]
- Vedomosti publishes its report on the speech, including Mishustin’s remark that Russia remains in the race of large foundation models [ 6 ]