President Putin Orders Stronger AI Cooperation with China

President Vladimir Putin has directed the Russian government and its largest bank, Sberbank, to strengthen cooperation with China in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).

The directive, published on the Kremlin’s website on Wednesday, comes three weeks after Putin announced plans for Russia to collaborate with BRICS partners and other nations on AI development.

In his instructions, Putin tasked the government and Sberbank, which leads Russia’s AI initiatives, to “ensure further cooperation with the People’s Republic of China in technological research and development in the field of artificial intelligence.”

Also Read: UNESCO Becomes Key G20 Partner for 2025, spotlight on AI

The move reflects Russia’s strategy to partner with non-Western countries to challenge the United States’ dominance in AI, a pivotal technology of the 21st century.

On 11 December, Putin announced the creation of a new AI Alliance Network, intended to unite specialists from BRICS nations and other interested states.

Russia currently ranks 31st out of 83 countries in AI implementation, innovation, and investment, according to the UK-based Tortoise Media’s Global AI Index. This places it significantly behind global leaders like the United States and China, as well as BRICS counterparts India and Brazil.