Russian Regions Develop Their Own AI Strategies
In Chelyabinsk Region, officials are focusing on deploying artificial intelligence across industrial enterprises.
Russian regions are drafting their own strategies to integrate artificial intelligence into the economy and industry. According to Evgeny Makagonov, director of Rostelecom’s Chelyabinsk branch and head of the regional Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs’ digitalization committee, about 31 percent of companies have already integrated AI-based solutions, while another 50 percent plan to do so.
Manufacturers are using AI to automate processes and reduce costs. Applications include machine vision, data analytics, monitoring of hazardous zones, and oversight of production lines.
A Comprehensive Approach
A systemic approach is seen as essential for rolling out new technologies. Chelyabinsk Region’s AI development strategy complements the federal standard, with a particular focus on industry, the region’s core economic strength.
The region also operates a dedicated program to protect critical infrastructure. In 2025, its established security system repelled more than 40,000 cyberattacks. In recent years, the region has launched 42 Bulat base stations running on domestic software. To support the rollout, specialists built 170 kilometers of fiber-optic lines.
Rather than relying on off-the-shelf products, the region is focusing on building its own digital capabilities and pursuing a long-term strategy tailored to industrial development.
