Russian Marketplaces Expand Use of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
Russian e‑commerce platforms are rapidly adopting robotics and AI to address labor shortages and improve the quality and safety of product moderation.
Automation at Scale
At the Digital Solutions forum, Dmitry Kim, Vice President for Government Relations at Ozon—one of Russia’s largest online marketplaces—outlined how the company is scaling its technological backbone. Confronted with a shortage of workers for routine tasks, Ozon has accelerated warehouse automation. Autonomous forklifts now handle logistics operations, while deeply integrated warehouse systems communicate directly with the company’s core platform, significantly reducing the need for manual labor.
AI as a Core Business Tool
Artificial intelligence plays a central role in streamlining business processes. The system now processes 95 percent of all product listings created by sellers. With over 700,000 merchants adding items daily, manual moderation would otherwise require more than 60,000 human reviewers. AI ensures speed, consistency, and compliance across millions of SKUs.
Only 5 percent of listings are still reviewed manually—primarily sensitive categories such as medical products and veterinary pharmaceuticals, where precision and regulatory compliance are critical.
People and Robots Working Together
The rise of robotics has created demand for highly skilled workers who can operate, maintain, and optimize automated systems. Marketplace employees now undergo training to collaborate effectively with robots, moving from repetitive tasks to supervisory and analytical roles.
Ozon’s approach shows that automation is not merely about reducing workforce load—it is about reshaping the future of work. By introducing robotics and AI at scale, the company is creating new digital professions and setting higher standards for operational excellence across the Russian e‑commerce sector.
