Russian Industry Turns to Homegrown Generative AI to Cut Foreign Tech Dependence

As geopolitical tensions grow, Russian industrial companies are embracing generative AI to reduce reliance on foreign technologies and improve operational efficiency.

Russian manufacturers are rapidly adopting generative artificial intelligence to tackle key industrial challenges—from engineering design to predictive maintenance. The shift is part of a broader strategy to localize critical technologies and increase resilience in the face of international sanctions and supply chain restrictions, according to a report by the business daily Vedomosti.

An analytical review from the non-profit Digital Economy (ANO) indicates that most domestic generative AI solutions have reached technology readiness levels of 6 to 8 on a nine-point scale, signaling maturity from lab research to production-ready tools. In some cases, these AI systems are already operating in industrial settings.

For example, steel giant Severstal has deployed generative models to optimize the steel pickling process, resulting in a 6.5 percent boost in productivity. Petrochemical conglomerate Sibur is using AI for real-time diagnostics and predictive maintenance of its machinery. Meanwhile, biotech firm BIOCAD is leveraging generative AI to accelerate molecule selection in drug development.

These implementations illustrate a growing trend: Russian companies are no longer waiting for imported solutions. Instead, they’re investing in AI tools tailored to local needs—and seeing measurable returns.