Putin aims for AI leadership, eyes regional cooperation through SCO

ISLAMABAD: Russia is focusing on artificial intelligence as a key area of international collaboration, with President Vladimir Putin highlighting plans for enhanced AI cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), of which Pakistan is a member.

According to a statement shared by Russia News on X on Thursday, Putin stated: “Russia will strengthen international cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence with its partners, including within BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.”

“We have instructed the Cabinet of Ministers and the Presidential Administration to work on establishing a headquarters to manage all AI-related activities in Russia.”

He said, “regional governors have been tasked with developing a national plan for the implementation of generative AI across the country,” adding, “By March 2026, the relevant authorities must provide comprehensive information on the use of AI in the economy.”

Putin said, “There are areas in which we can rely entirely on our own AI developments, including the work of intelligence agencies.”

“The stability and independence of the national digital infrastructure must be ensured.”

“A total of 38 nuclear power units are scheduled to be launched in Siberia, the Urals, and the Far East. Russia also plans to transition to mass production of small nuclear power plants,” the post says.

“The stability and independence of the national digital infrastructure must be guaranteed,” Putin said, according to the post.

‘More influential SCO’

According to a post shared by Sputnik, earlier on Tuesday, the Russian president, during a meeting with delegation leaders from the SCO Council of Heads of Government, stated: “We all have one common goal, that is to enhance the prominence and influence of the SCO as one of the major and largest regional groupings in the world and in the region.”