AI Initiative: Virtual Business Consultant
Russia’s largest bank, Sber, has unveiled an AI-powered virtual business consultant designed to help entrepreneurs make data-driven decisions, automate operations, and navigate complex market realities. The service represents a major step forward in the country’s digital economy — where artificial intelligence is no longer just a tool but a strategic advisor.
Proactive Business Intelligence
The AI consultant in SberBusiness acts proactively, analyzing company financial data and comparing it with industry benchmarks and market trends before the client even asks for advice. Based on this analysis, it generates analytical notes and strategic business plans.
AI-driven suggestions appear directly on the app’s main screen. When clicked, users enter a chat that offers personalized recommendations for optimizing operations or scaling the business. This is powered by GigaChat, Sber’s proprietary large language model developed within its national digital ecosystem.
In a business environment challenged by tightening regulations, expensive credit, and talent shortages, such a solution can mean the difference between survival and growth.
From Passive Assistance to Active Partnership
Just a few years ago, AI assistants in financial services were limited to basic functions — checking balances or loan terms. Today, SberBusiness has redefined that relationship. The updated assistant initiates dialogue, alerting entrepreneurs to anomalies such as declining revenue. For instance, it might say, “Your revenue dropped 15% this quarter. Consider participating in government procurement.”
The system also integrates a tender agent that helps businesses assess eligibility, prepare documents, and submit bids directly through the app.
This marks a shift from reactive customer support to proactive partnership — where AI serves as both consultant and collaborator.
Twenty Specialized AI Agents Under One Roof
The platform’s modular architecture now includes over 20 domain-specific AI agents. A Business Growth agent analyzes KPIs and identifies new opportunities — from product diversification to pricing optimization and market expansion. An Education agent curates learning content on SberBusiness Live, from accounting fundamentals to advanced marketing.
A Financial agent tracks liquidity, recommends refinancing or investment options, while a Tender agent streamlines participation in government and corporate procurement. These capabilities are particularly valuable for small and mid-sized businesses with limited administrative capacity.
“The assistant has become a partner, taking over routine entrepreneurial tasks — for example, automatically creating an online store during a conversation with the business owner,” said Anatoly Popov, Deputy Chairman of Sberbank, in an interview with Gazeta.ru.
Next-Level Digital Maturity
Sber first announced the launch of its Giga-assistant at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June. At that stage, around 200,000 entrepreneurs participated in the pilot.
Now, with new capabilities added, nearly three million business clients have access to the service. In the medium term, hybrid AI operators capable of executing routine business tasks — such as preparing commercial offers, communicating with partners, or updating registries — are expected to emerge.
This practical application of large language models across real business operations is accelerating the digital transformation of Russia’s small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector. The latest SberBusiness upgrade underscores the growing sophistication of Russia’s AI industry and its transition from automation to true business intelligence.
