Putin Orders AI Partnership Between Russia, Sberbank, and China with April 2025 Deadline

Jan 1, 2025, 03:21 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed the government and state-owned Sberbank to strengthen cooperation with China in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The instructions, published on the Kremlin website following the AI Journey conference, emphasize collaboration in technological research and development. Sberbank, which leads Russia's AI efforts, has been tasked with ensuring this partnership, with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Sberbank CEO German Gref assigned to prepare a report by April 2025. The move comes amid Western sanctions that have restricted Russia's access to critical technologies, including microchips essential for AI development. Russia ranks 31st out of 83 countries in AI implementation, innovation, and investment, according to Tortoise Media's Global AI Index. This directive follows Putin's earlier announcement of plans to create an AI Alliance Network with BRICS nations and other interested countries.