Russian presidential administration uses AI services, Oreshkin says
In short
Maxim Oreshkin, deputy head of the Russian presidential administration, said the administration uses all available artificial intelligence services, including Gigachat, speaking at the plenary session of the Digital Solutions forum. He added that AI cannot replace direct communication with people. The remarks follow statements by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on AI sovereignty and by President Vladimir Putin on his own use of AI.
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The Russian presidential administration uses artificial intelligence services in its work, according to Maxim Oreshkin, deputy head of the administration. TASS, iXBT, RIA Novosti, Vedomosti and RBC all reported the statement, which was made on 7 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Vedomosti reported that Oreshkin spoke at the plenary session of the “Digital Solutions” forum. “If we talk about what we use, then, of course, we use everything that is available, both Gigachat and everything else,” Vedomosti quoted him as saying. The other outlets reported that the administration uses “all available” services without naming any. [ 2 , 4 ]
Oreshkin stressed that technology cannot replace direct communication with people. He said it is important “not to lose the person” when working with digital tools and to take context into account. According to Vedomosti, he said a walk along the street, a visit to a shop, a ride on public transport and conversations with people can give a fuller and more accurate picture of a situation than working only with digital devices. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
The remarks came a day after Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on 6 October that Russia’s digital sovereignty and competitiveness depend on creating its own artificial intelligence technologies, Vedomosti reported. On 1 October, President Vladimir Putin, asked at a meeting of the Valdai discussion club whether he uses artificial intelligence, said: “I use the presidential administration of the Russian Federation, which in turn uses everything humanity has thought up.” [ 4 ]
Why it matters
The statement confirms on the record that AI tools are in use inside the presidential administration, the body that supports Vladimir Putin. It comes alongside a stated official emphasis on building domestic AI technology, which Vedomosti linked to digital sovereignty and competitiveness. The documents give no details on the scale, cost or procurement of that use.
Key facts
- Maxim Oreshkin, deputy head of the Russian presidential administration, said the administration uses artificial intelligence services. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Oreshkin said the administration uses “everything that is available”, including Gigachat. [ 4 ]
- Oreshkin said artificial intelligence cannot replace direct communication with people. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Oreshkin made the remarks at the plenary session of the “Digital Solutions” forum. [ 4 ]
- He said a walk outside, a visit to a shop, a ride on public transport and conversations with people can give a fuller picture than working only with digital devices. [ 4 ]
- On 6 October, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said Russia’s digital sovereignty and competitiveness depend on creating its own AI technologies. [ 4 ]
- On 1 October, President Vladimir Putin, asked whether he uses AI, said he uses the presidential administration, which “uses everything humanity has thought up”. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Which specific AI services the administration uses, beyond the mention of Gigachat. Only Vedomosti names Gigachat; TASS, iXBT, RIA Novosti and RBC refer only to “all available” services without naming any.
- Where the “Digital Solutions” forum took place. The documents do not state the venue or city of the event at which Oreshkin spoke.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports Oreshkin’s statement that the presidential administration uses AI services, which cannot replace communication with people. [ 1 ]
- iXBT publishes its report on the same statement. [ 2 ]
- RIA Novosti reports that the presidential administration uses AI in its work. [ 3 ]
- Vedomosti publishes the account with Oreshkin’s quotes from the “Digital Solutions” forum and earlier statements by Mishustin and Putin. [ 4 ]
- RBC reports that the administration uses AI services that cannot replace communication with people. [ 5 ]