The Times: Vladimir Putin's technophobia stales Russia's high-tech development
Photo: Vladimir Putin, Russian president (Getty Images)
Media reports that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is wary of modern technologies, a stance that is slowing Russia’s progress in artificial intelligence and accelerating the loss of IT specialists, according to The Times.
According to The Times, Russian leader Vladimir Putin runs the country using outdated means of communication, encrypted landline phones, while avoiding the internet and smartphones.
The newspaper notes that this sharply contrasts with the practices of other world leaders, who increasingly coordinate policy through modern messengers and digital platforms.
The outlet poses a rhetorical question: "Is it any wonder that Russia is falling behind in artificial intelligence development?"
Russia's place in global AI industry
According to a study by Stanford University, Russia ranks 28th out of 36 countries in overall AI industry strength.
The leaders are the United States, China, and India, while even smaller countries such as Luxembourg, Belgium, and Ireland have overtaken Russia.
Analysts cited by the paper say weak investment activity and fear of innovation are slowing the country’s high-tech development.
Contrast with Soviet era
The Times points out that the current leadership’s attitude toward technology differs sharply from that of Soviet leaders, for whom scientific and technological progress was a central pillar of industrialization and Cold War competition.
While the Soviet Union prioritized space exploration, nuclear capabilities, and large-scale infrastructure, today’s authorities reportedly view digital innovation primarily as a threat to political control.
Impact on digital freedoms and tech market
The newspaper also highlights the erosion of digital freedoms in Russia. Blocking social media platforms and restricting access to information are undermining the country’s technology ecosystem.
Economist Vladislav Inozemtsev says that a viable AI sector requires independent startups and a favorable investment climate, conditions that are largely absent in Russia.
In 2022 alone, around 100,000 IT specialists reportedly left the country, while Western sanctions have further complicated access to advanced technological components.
A special envoy of the Russian leader, Kirill Dmitriev, is due to travel to Miami for a series of meetings with representatives of the administration of US President Donald Trump.
Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that during the so-called "energy truce" Russian forces shifted the focus of their attacks to logistics infrastructure, noting that while no strikes on energy facilities were recorded overnight, several regions were hit earlier in the day, and the attacker has now reoriented strikes toward transport and supply hubs.
