MOSCOW – President Vladimir Putin has given the green light for a strategic push to deepen Russia’s partnership with China in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). The directive, issued this week and posted on the Kremlin’s website, tasks the Russian government and Sberbank, the country’s largest financial institution, with cementing ties and enhancing collaboration with China in AI research and development.
This move follows Putin’s announcement three weeks earlier that Russia intends to join forces with BRICS nations and other global players to forge ahead in AI. Sberbank, already leading Russia’s AI initiatives, has been specifically instructed to ensure that cooperation with China thrives in this critical area of technological advancement.
The backdrop to this decision is Russia’s ongoing struggle with Western sanctions, which have severely crippled its access to essential technologies needed to fuel its war efforts in Ukraine. With major global microchip producers halting exports to Russia, the country’s ambitions in AI have been throttled, prompting the Kremlin to seek out new allies in its technological race.
The drive to partner with China marks a shift in Moscow’s approach to counter the technological blockade, recognizing Beijing as a key ally in building a future where AI plays a pivotal role. As the global AI landscape rapidly evolves, this strengthened cooperation could unlock new possibilities for both nations, allowing them to navigate the complexities of modern technological warfare and innovation.
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