The head of Rosneft assessed the impact of AI on labor productivity

The use of artificial intelligence technologies in 90% of cases had no effect on labor productivity. This assessment was given by Igor Sechin, Executive Secretary of the Commission under the President of Russia on the Development Strategy of the Fuel and Energy Complex and Environmental Safety, head of Rosneft.

Speaking at the Energy Panel of the XXIX St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, he noted that AI and robotics are expected to significantly increase labor productivity. "About 70% of companies around the world actively use artificial intelligence in their work. However, in 90% of cases over the past three years, the use of these technologies has not affected labor productivity in any way," Sechin said.

At the same time, despite the low return on investment in AI, the share of software in the capex of high-tech companies is 35-45%, and in the industrial sector it reaches 15%. These investments are not subject to property tax, Sechin said.

New technologies are shaping the transition to a new socio-economic structure, stated the head of Rosneft. However, "demography and the individual may lose their importance in the face of an army of machines if we just watch," Sechin warned.

Not only business leaders, but also religious authorities are already talking about the risks associated with AI. The first encyclical "Magnifica humanitas" was dedicated to this very topic Pope Leo XIV, who spoke about the need to put technology "at the service of humanity, not a handful of rulers," Sechin recalled.

He also pointed to the growing connection of technology companies with the US defense industry. Anthropic's technologies were used in Pentagon operations, and cooperation was implemented through Palantir, a key contractor for the American defense sector.

"The development of intelligent human control systems on the battlefield is underway. Humans are effectively becoming expendable, combat robots controlled by artificial intelligence. The situation may become uncontrollable," Sechin warned.