President Vladimir Putin announced that the main developments in Russia in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) are based on domestic technologies.

He spoke about this during a speech at the international online conference Artificial Intelligence Journey (AI Journey). 

“Our main developments in the field of artificial intelligence are based on domestic scientific and technological groundwork, and the world level,” the head of state emphasized.

The President stressed that AI is the basis for a new leap forward in the development of all mankind, and the so-called end-to-end technologies "permeate all spheres of life: production, social sphere, science and culture."

During the conference, Putin noted that artificial intelligence is not a "fashionable hype" and will not "fade" over time.

He drew attention to cases in world history when "large corporations and even countries literally slept through a technological breakthrough and were swept off the historical stage overnight."

“We must remember this.

I want my colleagues in ministries, departments, regions of the Russian Federation, in state-owned companies, research institutes and universities to hear me now: we have to tackle issues of a fundamentally new level of complexity, ”the Russian leader said.

Vladimir Putin noted that in the next decade, the country will have to carry out a digital transformation of the entire country, "to introduce everywhere artificial intelligence technologies, big data analysis."

In the implementation of these plans, it is necessary to use sovereign technological groundwork, the development of domestic innovative companies and start-ups, the head of state explained.

He noted that billions of rubles will be directed only to the digital transformation of public administration and the transfer of public services to electronic format, most of which will be provided automatically, upon the occurrence of a certain life situation in a person.

“For example, if a child is born in a family, the system's algorithms will issue the necessary certificates and documents themselves, including the issuance, by the way, of maternity capital,” the head of state said.

At the same time, Vladimir Putin announced the need to eliminate any risks of leakage of personal data of Russians during the development of artificial intelligence technologies in the country.

"It is necessary, of course, to exclude any risks of leakage of personal information, personal data and to ensure full respect for the rights of citizens," he stressed during the plenary session.

During the discussion, the President stressed that Russia at different stages successfully solved large-scale tasks of technological development, in particular, at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, it carried out the construction of railways at a unique pace, and also carried out electrification in the last century. 

“But our plans for the widespread introduction of artificial intelligence, digital transformation in terms of the depth of change in all areas have no analogues.

They will really affect every person, every family, every sector of the economy and social sphere, every organization and every level of government, the entire system of government, ”said Vladimir Putin.

During the discussion, the president also answered a question from Sberbank CEO German Gref about the likelihood of a world "uprising of machines", and expressed the opinion that people will control cars, and not vice versa.

Putin acknowledged that the development of artificial intelligence involves certain risks, but noted that it depends on people how carefully such opportunities will be used.

In addition, Putin expressed confidence that in the case of AI, the same rules should work that apply to the Internet, namely the regulatory framework, as well as moral and ethical standards that humanity has been developing for decades.

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At the same time, the president said that artificial intelligence will never replace a person, but will become "a faithful assistant, opening new horizons for the implementation of a number of tasks facing humanity."

“We must build relationships with him so that breakthrough technologies will help us achieve our national goals, transform Russia and strengthen its position in the world, and therefore, first of all, improve the well-being and quality of life of our citizens,” Putin said during the discussion.

The head of state also responded negatively to the question of Sberbank's virtual assistant Athens about whether artificial intelligence can replace the president.

Putin explained that AI "has no heart, soul, compassion."

At the same time, Putin clarified that artificial intelligence can become an assistant to any person, including the president.

In addition, Putin expressed the opinion that self-learning artificial intelligence could provide Russia with "incredible technological breakthroughs."

He drew attention to the fact that one of the centers for research in the field of artificial intelligence is already being formed in the Imereti Valley, which will provide convenient conditions for the work of specialists, as well as special legal and regulatory basic conditions for the invention of future technologies.

“For this, for the first time, in accordance with the new Constitution of Russia, a federal territory will be created here.

The Sirius center will become its heart, a place of attraction for talented youth, ”Putin noted.

In total, the president said that it is planned to create six large research centers that will work in the field of IT technologies.