Russia’s initiative to seek China‘s assistance in advancing artificial intelligence is perceived as an attempt to counter America’s dominance in this sector, particularly as the outgoing Biden administration is anticipated to implement new export controls aimed at restricting Beijing’s access to AI chips.

At the start of the new year, Russian President Vladimir Putin directed the state-owned Sberbank to collaborate with China on AI research and development, as reported by the Kremlin.

“President Putin recognizes that Russia is in a global race for AI against the United States and has allocated state resources to compete in information and cyberspace—domains where artificial intelligence is expected to bolster Russia’s efforts against what they perceive as Western narratives and influence,” stated Samuel Bendett, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security.

Moscow regards Beijing’s achievements in AI as a model to emulate, and its partnership with China is seen as a crucial move to acquire essential skills, knowledge, and technology related to artificial intelligence, Bendett noted.

The United States currently holds a dominant position in artificial intelligence innovation, with China trailing significantly, as highlighted in a November report from the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence. Meanwhile, Russia is positioned 31st out of 83 nations in terms of AI implementation, innovation, and investment, according to the Global AI Index published by U.K.-based Tortoise Media.

In response to sanctions

The Western sanctions placed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 have hindered the nation’s AI progress, prompting Moscow to seek assistance from Beijing to mitigate these limitations, as noted by Bendett in his report titled “The Role of AI in Russia’s Confrontation with the West.”

Sberbank, which has been directed by Putin to partner with China, is currently under Western sanctions.

As Russia’s largest financial institution, Sberbank spearheads the country’s AI development initiatives.

The outgoing Biden administration is anticipated to introduce a new series of export control measures designed to further restrict China’s access to chips essential for AI technology. These measures may be implemented as soon as Friday, according to Bloomberg.

Sberbank’s CEO, German Gref, stated in 2023 that Russia faces challenges in acquiring graphics processing units and microchips essential for advancing AI technology, as reported by Reuters.

However, Alexander Vedyakhin, the bank’s first deputy CEO, mentioned in December that despite the impact of Western sanctions, Russia has the potential to enhance its AI capabilities by 2030 through domestic innovation.

Additionally, Russia has been exploring collaboration with China to leverage AI in military applications. According to Bendett, high-level meetings between Russian and Chinese military officials took place in 2024, and ongoing discussions between their defense ministries are expected to focus on how AI can support large-scale conventional conflicts, such as the situation in Ukraine.

Furthermore, Russian and Chinese representatives convened in Beijing early last year to explore the military uses of AI, particularly in the development of autonomous weaponry, as indicated by Russia’s Foreign Ministry.

AI-Enhanced Weaponry

In December, Ukraine reported that Russia had commenced the deployment of AI-enhanced strike drones featuring advanced capabilities that allow them to bypass air defenses, pinpoint critical targets, and function autonomously.

James Lewis, the director of the Strategic Technologies Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, indicated that Russia is expected to leverage AI technology to improve drone functionalities and develop weapons with superior target recognition and faster attack capabilities.

The partnership between China and Russia in AI presents “new risks for the U.S.,” although Lewis noted that the military use of AI cannot offset poor strategic decisions on the battlefield.

During an AI conference in Moscow last month, Song Haitao, president of the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, announced that China intends to formalize an agreement with Russia’s Sberbank to enhance collaborative efforts in AI development.

At the conference, President Putin commended China for its significant advancements in AI technology and its applications, particularly in the creation of “smart cities” and the implementation of “modern governance.”

Sam Bresnick, a research fellow at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology, noted that while the exact advantages for Beijing in assisting Moscow with AI development remain uncertain, China may seek military technologies and wartime intelligence from Russia in exchange.

“Russia excels in submarine manufacturing, and there has been speculation that China could gain from such technology. Additionally, helicopter technology is another area of interest,” Bresnick remarked.

He further stated, “The conflict in Ukraine has produced an immense volume of data. China would likely be keen to acquire this information, as having access to more militarily relevant data from Russia could enhance China’s own military AI systems.”

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, expressed to VOA on Thursday that “regarding the application of artificial intelligence, China strongly promotes the principles of ‘people-oriented’ and ‘intelligent for good,’ ensuring that AI is safe, reliable, and controllable, thereby facilitating global sustainable development and improving the collective well-being of humanity.”