All Roads Lead to AI: Russia’s Job Market Undergoes a Shift
In Russia, the number of job postings requiring AI skills is surging, with finance, marketing, advertising, PR, and IT leading the demand. The trend signals not just a workforce shift but also a call to action for schools, universities, and government policy.
A Signal That Can’t Be Ignored
The summer of 2025 has marked a turning point in what employers expect from both current and future specialists. Analysts at Avito Jobs found that the number of vacancies in Russia requiring AI skills has grown by 66 percent compared to the same period in 2024. This is more than a statistic—it is a wake-up call that neither job seekers, nor educators, nor policymakers can afford to overlook.
“Neural networks are increasingly used across industries because they help employees automate routine tasks, perform work faster and with higher quality, and free up time for creative and strategic thinking,” explained Dmitry Korolyov, HR-Tech Director at Avito.
Financial services, marketing, advertising, PR, and IT companies are actively integrating generative AI to automate tasks, analyze data, and even produce creative content. Analysts note that professionals with AI expertise now earn on average 18 percent more than a year earlier. By mid-2025, sales managers with AI knowledge are making more than 102,000 rubles (about $1,100) a month. Skills in AI are no longer just an advantage—they are becoming career capital.
Riding the AI Wave
The emergence of AI as a must-have skill is forcing universities and colleges to rethink their curricula. Students need hands-on experience with AI tools, from ChatGPT-like systems to advanced analytics platforms. This requires not just a new course but the integration of AI into the entire learning process—from coursework to internships and project work.
Interest in continuing education is also rising quickly. EdTech products, including corporate training programs, are evolving beyond basic introductions to AI. They are beginning to offer full training tracks for emerging roles such as “AI Manager” and “AI Data Analyst.”
In the coming years, special courses and electives in AI are expected to become common across leading universities and colleges. Russia is also preparing to adopt new federal educational standards that will make AI modules mandatory for most professional tracks.
Moreover, Russia has an opportunity to export educational solutions in AI to CIS countries and other friendly markets. By developing a modern EdTech ecosystem—including online platforms, certification systems, and international partnerships—the country could stake a strong position in this fast-growing sector.
A New Environment for Work and Learning
The trend took root back in 2024. According to hh.ru, the number of job postings requiring AI skills more than doubled in three years, from 1,700 in 2021 to 3,700 in 2024. By then it was already clear: artificial intelligence was no longer confined to specialists, but had become a tool for everyday work across industries.
Russian universities, including Bauman Moscow State Technical University and the Higher School of Economics, began offering specializations in generative AI. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education supported this shift by introducing digital skills, including AI, as part of the national “Education” project.
Global practice points in the same direction. In 2023–2024, universities in the United States and Europe made AI literacy part of their core curriculum for all students, regardless of field of study. This reflected a broader recognition: AI is not just a technology, but a new environment for communication, work, and thinking.
Knowledge of AI is becoming as fundamental as proficiency with office software or foreign languages. Integrating AI into education is not a passing trend but a long-term shift that will only intensify. The challenge for education is not just to keep up but to equip future generations with the skills to use AI wisely and effectively.
