In a significant move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has revealed a comprehensive national strategy for the development of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing the critical need to prevent a Western monopoly on this transformative technology. Speaking at an AI conference in Moscow, Putin underscored the importance of using Russian solutions to create reliable, transparent, and safe AI systems, stating that the monopolistic dominance of foreign technology in Russia is unacceptable and dangerous.
Putin expressed concern about AI systems trained on Western data, noting that many modern systems intended for the Western market reflect ethical norms and public policies that Russia opposes. He warned against the potential digital "cancellation" of Russia and its culture by algorithms developed by Western platforms, highlighting the selective and biased nature of Western search engines and generative models.
To address these challenges and ensure Russia's technological independence, Putin pledged to allocate additional resources to the development of supercomputers and other technologies, intensifying national AI research. He emphasized the importance of expanding fundamental and applied research in generative artificial intelligence and large language models.
In the era of the technological revolution, Putin argued that cultural and spiritual heritage plays a pivotal role in preserving national identity. He stressed the need for traditional values, the richness, and beauty of the Russian languages, along with the languages of other peoples of Russia, to form the basis of AI developments, creating reliable, transparent, and secure systems.
While acknowledging the impossibility of banning AI development, Putin highlighted the importance of implementing necessary safeguards. He stated that the future does not lie in bans on technology development, as such actions would lead to falling behind, but rather in finding ways to manage and control its potential risks.
Putin expressed confidence that the global community would collaborate on developing security guidelines for AI once it fully realizes the risks and feels the threat of its uncontrolled spread. The Russian president's announcement signals a commitment to shaping the future of AI development with a focus on national interests, cultural preservation, and technological sovereignty.
