11:11, 16 January 2026

Pavel Andrianov: AI in Russian IT Is About Making People More Capable, Not Replacing Them

An IT expert discusses what a real, mature digital transformation looks like in practice.

Russian companies are increasingly integrating artificial intelligence into their operations. Today, more than 70% of Russian organizations use generative AI in at least one business process, and the figure is rising rapidly. Strategic decision-making, however, remains a human responsibility. That was the message from Pavel Andrianov, head of operational efficiency and business digitalization practice and a partner at 5D Consulting, in an interview with IT RUSSIA.

Taking Over Routine Tasks

According to Andrianov, automation and the rollout of AI, including domestic solutions, are paying off far faster than many expected. Russian AI platforms are already taking over routine work that previously took weeks: processing large data sets, initial analytics, report preparation, demand forecasting, and handling customer inquiries. Algorithms perform these tasks quickly, consistently, and without fatigue, which is why companies are increasingly entrusting them with operational workloads where speed, scale, and repeatability matter.

“In my experience, after AI analytics were implemented in one project, the time required to prepare management reports was cut almost in half, while data quality improved significantly due to reduced human error,” Andrianov told IT RUSSIA.

A Support Tool, Not an Autonomous “Director”

At the same time, the expert notes that it is important to be honest about the limits of AI use. Strategic decisions remain firmly in the human domain. Artificial intelligence is highly effective at gathering facts, identifying patterns, and highlighting possible scenarios, but decision-making under uncertainty still requires managerial experience, intuition, and contextual understanding.

“Here, AI is a powerful support tool, not an autonomous ‘director.’ And that is normal: mature companies are building models where algorithms advise, while people make the decisions and take responsibility for them,” Andrianov said.

Combining Digital Tools With Management Experience

Another area where AI is being actively deployed is human resources management. Algorithms are already being tasked with screening résumés, conducting initial competency assessments, and analyzing engagement and performance. This significantly reduces the workload of HR teams and helps them identify suitable candidates more quickly.

“But motivation, values, hidden conflicts, and team dynamics still require hands-on leadership. Full automation here risks excessive formalism and the loss of strong employees, which is why best practices are built on a combination of digital tools and management experience,” the expert added.

Human Experience and Responsibility Remain the Priority

Andrianov also singled out communications where the cost of error is particularly high, including negotiations, crisis situations, and reputational issues. AI can prepare analytics, background briefs, or draft scenarios, but the final word, tone, and responsibility for what is said remain with a human. This is not a weakness of technology, he argues, but a conscious balance that allows it to be used most effectively.

“Many people are skeptical about the ‘AI bubble’ and say its impact is still hard to measure precisely. There is a reason for that: the market is only taking shape, and mature metrics are still emerging. But AI is being embedded in business more and more actively. The effect may not always be immediate or expressed as direct cost savings, but it shows up in faster decision-making, higher-quality analytics, and greater business flexibility,” Andrianov said.

In that sense, AI in Russian IT is about making people more capable, not replacing them, Andrianov emphasized. Sustainable growth emerges where companies clearly understand which tasks make sense to delegate to algorithms and where human experience and accountability must remain paramount. That approach, he said, is what defines a real, mature digital transformation.

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