By Gleb Bryanski and Elena Fabrichnaya
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia has the potential to improve its position in global AI ratings by 2030 despite Western sanctions because of talented developers and generative AI models, Alexander Vedyakhin, first deputy CEO of Russia’s largest lender Sberbank, told Reuters.
Sberbank is leading the development of AI in Russia, which is currently ranked 31 out of 83 countries by the use of AI, innovation and investment in the UK-based Tortoise Media’s Global AI Index, behind not only the United States and China but also other BRICS members India and Brazil.
“I am confident that Russia can significantly improve its global position by 2030 through its innovation and policy support in the field of AI development,” Vedyakhin said in an interview.
Vedyakhin emphasized that Russia is delaying the leaders of the United States and China for six to nine months while Western sanctions prevent the country from developing computer power.
“These sanctions were aimed at limiting Russia’s computer power, but we are trying to compensate for this deficiency with our scientists and engineers,” he said.
Vedyakhin said that Russia will not compete with the US and China in building giant data centers, but will focus on the development of intelligent AI models similar to Meta’s Llama. He said that the Russian language creates an AI model that guarantees technological dominance.
“I believe that any country that considers itself free in the world should have its own main language,” said Vedyakhin. Russia is among the 10 countries, which are developing its own national AI model.
President Vladimir Putin said on December 11 that Russia will develop AI with BRICS partners and other countries, in an effort to challenge the dominance of the United States in one of the most promising technologies of the 21st century.
Vedyakhin said that China and especially Europe, were losing their opportunity in AI due to excessive regulations, expressing hope that the government will maintain AI-supporting legislation in the future.
“If we prevent our scientists and large companies the right to experiment now, it will stop the development of the computer. As soon as the ban appears, we can start losing the AI race in artificial intelligence,” said Vedyakhin.
Many AI developers have left Russia in recent years, mostly fleeing the gathering drive for Ukraine’s conflict in 2022. Vedyakhin said some are returning home, attracted by opportunities in Russia’s AI sector.
(Reporting by Elena Fabrichnaya and Gleb Bryanski; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge)