The introduction of artificial intelligence can bring over $6 billion to the Russian agro-industrial complex.

The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) can bring over $6 billion to the Russian agro-industrial complex. This conclusion was reached by analysts of the consulting company Yakov and Partners, who assessed the current state and prospects for the development of AI in the Russian agro-industrial complex.

According to the study "Artificial intelligence in the Russian agro–industrial complex: a temporary trend or real money?", the expected economic effect of the introduction of AI, measured as an increase in operating profit, may amount to $2-2.9 billion in crop and livestock production, as well as $1.6-3.2 billion for industries that produce means of production and provide services for Agro-industrial complex. At the same time, about two thirds of the effect in the second group in the Russian Federation is accounted for by fertilizer producers.

"AI is no longer a HYPE, but one of the key factors for successful industrial transformation. Its implementation can significantly increase the efficiency of processes, especially in conditions of labor shortages, rising costs and limited access to financing," Alexey Kletsko, Director of Yakov and Partners, explained to Izvestia.

According to him, the digital transformation of the agro-industrial complex is based on two types of technologies: analytical AI and generative AI. While the former helps with crop forecasting, supply optimization, and equipment maintenance, the latter is able to create new scenarios, develop recommendations, and even train farmers in the digital advisor format.

Nevertheless, despite the high efficiency of such solutions, the path to their mass distribution in Russia is not without obstacles, experts admit. One of the main constraining factors remains the high key rate of the Bank of Russia (18% per annum as of July 2025). Experts estimate losses of the agro-industrial complex due to the high cost of capital at 500-650 billion rubles annually. Another barrier is the recycling of agricultural machinery, which causes damage to the industry in the amount of 150-250 billion rubles per year. Banning the import of seeds and switching to exclusively domestic genetics may also cost the economy an additional 250-300 billion rubles in losses.

The authors note that even with advanced technologies, the result from the introduction of AI will be minimal without work on improving the operational maturity of companies and the willingness to integrate innovations into the production cycle. It should also be remembered that the real benefits of AI arise only if there is a physical or digital medium — a tractor, a control system, or software.

Without this, AI remains an abstract tool with no applied value.

According to experts, the key conditions for the large—scale implementation of AI in the Russian agro-industrial complex are the development of solvent demand, reduction of regulatory and financial barriers, and widespread adoption of best operational practices already implemented and used in other industries, from metallurgy to retail.

Despite the widespread perception of agriculture as a conservative industry, the digitalization of agriculture in Russia is developing dynamically. According to experts, digital platforms are already being used on areas exceeding 20 million hectares. Such solutions include modules for weed recognition, satellite image analysis, yield forecasting, and production process management. Our survey "Window of Opportunity 3.0" with the participation of more than 100 top managers of the agroindustrial complex (chief agronomists and heads of agricultural enterprises with a land bank of more than 20 thousand hectares from all regions of the Russian Federation) confirms this observation: more than 85% of survey participants use AI in agricultural machinery operation systems and more than 65% in "assistant" type systems. agronomists" and the majority plan to continue implementing AI-based solutions.

Building a new AI world: Russia begins another digital breakthrough

But the legislative framework and human resources are not keeping pace with the dynamics of innovation.

On July 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted the development of artificial intelligence in the country. In turn, German Gref, Chairman of the Management Board of Sberbank of Russia, said that a new domestic AI model, GigaChat, had been made publicly available since April 1. According to him, the model is actively used by both citizens and legal entities. The head of Sberbank also stressed that Russia has implemented unique payment technologies that have no analogues in the world.