Voronezh Region Begins Introducing AI into Public Administration
Officials in Russia's Voronezh Region discussed the risks of falling behind in the adoption of new technologies and measures to help government agencies adapt to working with AI systems. The interagency commission meeting was chaired by Deputy Governor Igor Lotkov.
Lotkov outlined the risks of delaying AI adoption, including reduced technological sovereignty, the loss of market positions by Russian companies, declining industrial productivity, and slower decision-making. He also highlighted challenges specific to the region, including reduced competitiveness among local businesses, labor shortages, and the outflow of young professionals to regions where AI technologies are already more widely used.
Denis Volkov, the region's Minister of Digital Development, proposed introducing an experimental legal framework for AI and developing criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of AI systems. Labor Minister Maya Mandrykina said her ministry will identify the ten occupations most likely to be displaced by AI.
Meanwhile, Lyudmila Shelyakina, Minister of Tariff Regulation, described efforts to automate the analysis of investment program implementation by utility providers. Alexander Zenin, head of the Ministry for Contract System Regulation, said his agency has already deployed an AI-powered virtual assistant, reducing call center workload by 25%.
