Bashkiria has started mass implementation of AI in strategic industries

Bashkiria became one of the first Russian regions where artificial intelligence (AI) began to be implemented in all strategic sectors — from economics to public administration. This was stated by the head of the republic Radiy Khabirov at the profile strategic session.

According to him, the state should become a driving force for the integration of new technologies.

"Artificial intelligence has ceased to be the technology of the future and is already becoming a necessary tool for regional competitiveness. Either we go into this field and become successful, or we will lag behind significantly," Pravda PFD quotes him as saying.

A number of successful cases of using neural networks are already being implemented in the region. Oil companies use algorithms to monitor processes underground in real time, and medical institutions use AI to analyze survey results and predict the risks of complications. In addition, intelligent cameras of the "Forest Guard" system have been installed in the forests of the republic, which automatically detect smoke. The technology has already made it possible to save hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest from fire.

An interdepartmental council for digital development has been established in the republic to coordinate digital transformation. All ministries and departments have been instructed to prepare individual plans for the use of AI technologies. Oleg Li, who previously served as an adviser to the head of the National Center for the Development of Artificial Intelligence under the Government of the Russian Federation, will oversee this area in the Government of Bashkortostan.

Radiy Khabirov called on officials to move away from stereotypical assessments of technology.

"In people's minds, artificial intelligence is connected to the ideas that Hollywood has shaped. It's Terminator, Rise of the machines, and the like. There is still a discussion going on: "is artificial intelligence evil or good?". I suggest not to bother with this topic at all and not to give ratings. We need to focus on what we need from this artificial intelligence?" said the head of Bashkiria.

Earlier, during the conference "Digital Industry of Industrial Russia", Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said that more than half of domestic enterprises had started implementing AI. However, so far only a small number of companies have reached the stage of its full-fledged industrial use, which implies significant growth potential.