The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has issued a directive to allocate government funds towards the advancement of AI. The directive, disclosed in an official Kremlin document published on Thursday, aims to bolster Russia's AI capabilities in response to the impressive performance of the US-developed ChatGPT and other models.

The directive has tasked the government with the implementation of various measures to support AI research, including the provision of an annual budget allocation. The primary focus of this research initiative will be on optimizing machine learning algorithms and developing large language models akin to OpenAI's ChatGPT or Microsoft's Bard.

In 2022, Russia launched the National AI Center, with its primary mandate being the execution of the national strategy for advancing AI within Russia. AI Center's role is identifying and deploying effective AI solutions for businesses, scientific endeavours, and governmental functions. Additionally, it is actively engaged in research and development activities in AI.

Why does it matter?

This decision is prompted by the escalating competition with Western nations. Russia's aspiration is that through this funding, it will not fall behind -in the development and deployment of AI. Through this funding and research effort, Russia aims to advance its AI capabilities and position itself as a formidable contender in the global AI landscape.