Russia and China Strengthen Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence: A Strategic Alliance

RUSSIA, MOSCOW:

Russia and China have been strengthening their cooperation in various technological sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI). Both countries see AI as a crucial element for their economic growth and global influence. Over the years, they have worked on joint projects and shared research in the field of AI.

AI Research and Development:

Both countries have been investing heavily in AI and have shared knowledge through bilateral forums and agreements. They aim to advance AI technology in areas like robotics, cybersecurity, and smart cities.
Technological Exchange:

Russia and China have signed agreements for technological exchanges, where Chinese companies, like Baidu and Huawei, have collaborated with Russian institutions in AI development.
Joint Ventures and Investments:

Companies in both countries have been involved in joint ventures that focus on AI and other emerging technologies. For example, Russia’s Skolkovo Innovation Center and China’s various tech firms have collaborated on several AI-related initiatives.
Military and Security Applications:

Both Russia and China are interested in leveraging AI for military purposes, such as enhancing defense capabilities through autonomous systems, surveillance, and cybersecurity solutions. They share research on AI technologies to improve their military strength.
This cooperation is seen as part of the broader geopolitical and economic alliance between Russia and China, with a focus on countering Western technological dominance and advancing their own global influence.

According to Pak media Dawn, President Vladimir Putin has ordered Russia’s government and the country’s biggest bank, Sberbank, to build cooperation with China in artificial intelligence.

Putin’s instructions were published on the Kremlin’s website on Wednesday, three weeks after he announced that Russia would team up with BRICS partners and other countries to develop AI.

He told the government and Sberbank, which is spearheading Russia’s AI efforts, to “ensure further co-operation with the People’s Republic of China in technological research and development in the field of artificial intelligence”.

Western sanctions intended to restrict Moscow’s access to the technologies it needs to sustain its war against Ukraine have resulted in the world’s major producers of microchips halting exports to Russia, severely limiting its AI ambitions.
Sberbank CEO German Gref acknowledged in 2023 that graphics processing units (GPUs), the microchips that underpin AI development, were the trickiest hardware for Russia to replace.

By partnering with non-Western countries, Russia is seeking to challenge the dominance of the United States in one of the most promising and crucial technologies of the 21st century.

Putin said on Dec 11 that a new AI Alliance Network would bring together specialists from BRICS countries and other interested states.

Russia currently ranks 31st of 83 countries by AI implementation, innovation and investment on UK-based Tortoise Media’s Global AI Index, well behind not only the United States and China but also fellow BRICS members India and Brazil.#