Russia has the potential to improve its global AI ranking by 2030, despite Western sanctions, due to its skilled developers and the development of its own generative AI models, according to Alexander Vedyakhin, the first deputy CEO of Sberbank, Russia's largest bank.

Sberbank is leading AI development in Russia, which is currently ranked 31st out of 83 countries for AI implementation, innovation, and investment according to the UK-based Tortoise Media's Global AI Index. Russia lags behind the United States, China, and even other BRICS countries like India and Brazil. "I am confident that Russia can significantly improve its current positions in international rankings by 2030 through its own developments and supportive regulation in the field of generative AI," Vedyakhin said in an interview.

Vedyakhin emphasized that Western sanctions have hindered Russia's ability to increase its computing power and that the country is six to nine months behind the leaders of the United States and China. "The sanctions were aimed at limiting Russia's computing power, but we are trying to compensate for the shortage with our talented scientists and engineers," he said. Vedyakhin stated that rather than competing with the United States and China in the construction of massive data centres, Russia will concentrate on creating smart AI models like Meta's Llama. Russian language generative AI models, he claimed, ensured technical autonomy. 

"I believe that any country that sees itself as independent on the world stage should have its own large language model," Vedyakhin stated. Ten nations, including Russia, are creating their own generative AI models.  On December 11, President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia plans to develop AI in collaboration with BRICS countries and others, aiming to compete with the United States' leadership in this important technology of the 21st century.

Vedyakhin mentioned that China, and especially Europe, are losing their edge in AI because of too much regulation. He hopes the government will continue to support AI-friendly regulations in the future. "If we deprive our scientists and major corporations of the right to experiment now, it will halt the development of technology. As soon as bans appear, we may start losing the AI race in artificial intelligence," Vedyakhin stated. In recent years, a large number of AI developers have left Russia, particularly to escape the 2022 mobilisation campaign for the conflict in Ukraine. Some are now going back home, according to Vedyakhin, after being enticed by prospects in Russia's AI industry.