Policies

Developing artificial intelligence in Russia: Objectives and realities

September 15, 2020

Russia’s leaders have been paying close attention to artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for several years now. President Vladimir Putin has said on numerous occasions that the leader in the field of AI would become “the master of the world.” Until recently, however, Russia remained virtually the only large country without its own AI development strategy. …

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Skolkovo suspends key grant programs until next year

July 20, 2020

Last week the Skolkovo Foundation, Russia’s main tech hub with more than 2,400 resident startups, announced the temporary suspension of key grant programs until Dec. 31, 2020.  The move is due to the government’s decision to freeze its subsidies to the foundation this year. Skolkovo will continue distributing grants from other sources.  The suspended grant …

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Telegram and Russia seek rapprochement amid attack on Apple

July 15, 2020

It is only one month since Russia unexpectedly lifted its ban on messaging service Telegram. But the company’s vice president this week appeared alongside Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin — and proposed a crusade against US tech giants Apple and Google.  Mishustin took part in a panel discussion with IT industry executives near the city …

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US fines Amazon for Crimea orders

July 9, 2020

Businesses face hefty penalties for operating on the Crimean peninsula, following its annexation by Russia in 2014 — a move deemed illegal by much of the international community and which resulted in the U.S., EU and other western countries placing stringent sanctions on Russia and barring firms from being active or investing on the peninsula. …

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“Better than India and Ireland:” Putin announces big tax cuts to transform Russia into an IT hub

January 7, 2021

In a televised address to the nation Tuesday, Putin also announced big tax cuts for the IT sector, apparently a bid to “turn Russia into India” by using tax incentives to attract and retain tech entrepreneurs. Putin claimed that, even in the midst of a pandemic, it was clear how the Russian IT sector has …

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In Russia’s regions under lock down, digital permits could expose citizens to mass data leaks

November 12, 2020

At least 21 autonomous republics and regions of the Russian Federation are setting up digital permit systems to enforce self-isolation rules: with a few exceptions, anyone who wants to leave their home in those regions needs or will need an official permission. These regional governments are using one and the same application: “Gosuslugi Stop Coronavirus,” …

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Rosneft and Putin’s alleged daughter lead search for ‘Russian gene’

May 2, 2020

In 2018, Vladimir Putin announced a $1.7 billion genetic program, comparing the potential of genetic engineering to a new “nuclear bomb”. The following year, the president’s alleged eldest daughter, Maria Vorontsova, joined the program’s advisory council and, this week, state-owned oil giant Rosneft got involved. Russian online publication The Bell looks with some skepticism at the players …

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Technical experts and human rights activists challenge Moscow city’s QR coronavirus quarantine plans

November 12, 2020

What might have sounded like a dystopian scenario at the start of the year could become reality in Moscow very soon. Under a proposed system to fight the spread of the coronavirus, every trip outside — from buying essentials to walking the dog — will have to be approved in advance by the authorities. Mayor …

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Moscow city’s new app for COVID-19 patients allows police to monitor home quarantine compliance

November 12, 2020

On April 2, the Moscow Mayor’s Office will launching a mobile app called “Social Monitoring” designed for coronavirus patients with mild symptoms recovering at home. According to the city, there are currently about 550 confirmed COVID-19 patients who are recuperating at home, instead of in a hospital. “This [app] isn’t intended for everyone’s use. I repeat: this is …

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Mathematical modeling shows that full lockdown can prevent 100,000 COVID-19 deaths in Moscow

April 10, 2020

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin has placed stringent limits on the freedom of movement in Russia’s capital to stem the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic. To model what would have happened if he had not taken those measures and what could happen now that he has, we turned to Moscow State University Associate Professor Mikhail Tamm. The …

Mathematical modeling shows that full lockdown can prevent 100,000 COVID-19 deaths in Moscow Read More

Russian Internet majors join government COVID-19 response initiative

April 6, 2020

Last week the Russia’s sovereign fund RDIF, the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RUIE), as well as Internet majors Mail.ru Group and Yandex teamed up with the authorities to launch the ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Alliance.’ The Alliance aims to “ensure the rapid testing of people using the best available technology as well as the industrial security …

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