Avito to Invest $11 Million in AI Research, Launch New R&D Hub

Russia’s largest online marketplace is establishing a dedicated research center to develop cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies.

Avito, the country’s biggest online platform, is investing 1 billion rubles (about $12,5 million) to create a scientific research center focused on artificial intelligence. The new division will concentrate on core AI technologies, including generative models, computer vision, and voice assistants, the company announced.

The research will have a practical focus: most projects are expected to yield not only academic publications but also direct integration into Avito’s services.

Avito plans to test its AI innovations directly on its platform, speeding up their implementation. Earlier, the company said it intends to invest 12 billion rubles in generative AI by 2028. Initial solutions in this area have already generated 670 million rubles in revenue in 2024.

Russia’s broader digital economy is seeing a surge in AI investments. In 2024, spending on AI-related hardware by Russian developers rose 40 percent, and AI’s share of industry revenue could reach 23 percent.