AI as a Catalyst: How Artificial Intelligence Is Shaping Business Competitiveness
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic tool — it’s already boosting profits for early adopters and reshaping the rules of market competition.
The Future Is Now
The effectiveness of artificial intelligence across core economic sectors was underscored by participants at the 2nd National Forum 'Applied Artificial Intelligence: Solutions for Explosive Economic Growth. The Future Is Now,' held in St. Petersburg in June 2025. The event brought together experts from tech, business, government, and academia.
According to forum data, more than 67% of Russian companies are already deploying AI solutions — generating economic benefits in the hundreds of billions of rubles. AI is no longer a tool of the future but a strategic asset of the present. In its pursuit of technological sovereignty and import substitution, Russia is leveraging AI to boost competitiveness both domestically and internationally.
Fertile Ground for Disruption
Forum participants identified several industries where AI adoption delivers the highest impact: agriculture, manufacturing, energy, construction, finance, and creative industries. In agriculture alone, AI-driven analytics can reduce crop losses by up to 40%, a critical factor for national food security.
“The question is no longer whether we need AI, but how fast and how well we implement it,” said Olga Chebunina, CEO of Agropromtsifra. “That will define our place in the global agricultural economy of the future.”
From Startup to Scale
Over the next two years, AI adoption is set to accelerate across key sectors — agriculture, manufacturing, and energy — supported by increased investment, enhanced regulatory frameworks, and the development of industry-specific standards.
A key milestone was reached during the forum with the signing of an agreement to establish a Coordinating Council of AI Developer Associations. This move reflects the maturity of Russia’s IT sector, which continues to grow in both capacity and competition.
Russia ranked among the global top five in the number of generative AI models developed in 2024. The market is now shifting from pilot deployments to large-scale implementation.
AI’s Broader Impact on Society
Artificial intelligence is reshaping more than just business operations — it’s influencing national infrastructure and social services. High crop yields and reduced industrial costs mean more affordable food, goods, and energy. AI is also being integrated into urban infrastructure, healthcare, education, and government services.
For the Russian state, AI is a key instrument for ensuring food and technology security, supporting import substitution programs, and driving sustainable regional development. This extends beyond meeting internal needs to opening new avenues for economic growth.
Experts believe Russia could emerge as a supplier of advanced AI solutions to the global market. For example, robotic process automation (RPA) and digital field modeling tools in agriculture have high export potential across CIS countries and Eastern Europe.
By choosing a path of digital transformation, Russia is betting on AI as a long-term strategic resource — one that is already powering business growth and fostering healthy competition.
