MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy to propel Russia's presence in artificial intelligence (AI) during his speech at an AI conference in Moscow. Putin expressed concern over the West's dominance in AI development and stressed the importance of preventing a monopoly in this expanding field.

Both China and the United States have emerged as leaders in the race for AI supremacy, with their advancements predicted to revolutionize global society, similar to the impact of computers during the 20th century. Despite setbacks caused by the war in Ukraine and Western sanctions impeding high-tech imports, Putin reaffirmed Russia's determination to establish itself as an AI power.

Putin acknowledged the ethical and societal challenges associated with the rapid advancements in AI technology. While recognizing that banning AI is impracticable, Putin highlighted the importance of addressing ethical questions by staying rooted in Russia's "traditional" culture.

The Russian president warned that some Western online search systems and generative models neglect or dismiss Russian language and culture, creating algorithms that essentially disregard the country's existence. Russia, therefore, seeks to counter this by significantly expanding fundamental and applied research in the field of generative artificial intelligence and large language models.

Acknowledging the existing AI rankings, which place China and the United States at the forefront, Putin stressed the urgency for Russia to catch up. He revealed that a presidential decree would soon be signed, approving a new version of the national strategy for AI development. This updated strategy will prioritize expanding research, improving access to supercomputers for Russian researchers, enhancing scientific education in AI, changing laws to encourage growth, increasing international cooperation, and attracting more investment.

Putin commended Sberbank and Yandex, two Russian entities, for their contributions to generative AI and language models. He urged these organizations to further develop and apply their technologies in various sectors of the economy. Sberbank CEO German Gref, who has been instrumental in transforming the institution into an AI-focused entity, informed Putin that the bank's AI investments had generated approximately $3 billion annually, a significant increase from their previous $1 billion revenue.

As humanity enters a new chapter with AI technology playing an integral role, Putin emphasized the imperative for Russia to elevate its ambitions and execution in the AI sector. The forthcoming national strategy, coupled with increased investments, improved education, and enhanced international cooperation, aims to position Russia as a formidable force in the field of artificial intelligence.

In conclusion, President Putin's call for an ambitious Russian AI strategy signifies the country's determination to catch up with China and the United States. Amidst technological advancements and global competition, Russia seeks to address ethical concerns, protect its cultural identity, and diligently push forward with efforts to bolster AI research and application.