Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed the government and Sberbank to collaborate with China on advancing artificial intelligence (AI).
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Sberbank CEO German Gref will lead the initiative, with a progress report due by April 2025.
The partnership follows a December AI conference where Putin emphasized AI’s role in transforming education, public administration, and crime prevention.
“Russia must become a world leader not only in terms of creating, but also adopting and integrating artificial intelligence in all spheres of our life without exception,” Putin said.
AI initiatives in Russia have already shown results, including significant reductions in crime rates.
The country recently introduced AI-focused textbooks for students in grades 5-9, highlighting practical applications across industries.
China, a global AI leader, has heavily invested in the field and filed 70% of worldwide generative AI patents between 2014 and 2023, making it a key partner for Russia’s ambitions.