Putin on AI: 'I Have Never Been Afraid of Anything'

Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged with students, doctoral candidates, and young researchers at Novosibirsk State University, addressing the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence and its potential risks for Russia.

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I have never been afraid of anything.

When asked by a student about potential concerns regarding AI, Putin responded with characteristic brevity, stating, "I have never been afraid of anything." This remark came after a student suggested that the pervasive use of AI could lead individuals to think less for themselves.

The discussion highlighted Russia's strategic focus on AI development. The Kremlin officially designated AI as a national priority in 2019 with the adoption of the National Development Strategy for Artificial Intelligence. Putin acknowledged in November 2025 the significant influence AI systems can wield in shaping societal perceptions and information dissemination, noting their capacity to generate vast amounts of new data.

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If we constantly use artificial intelligence, we risk thinking less for ourselves.

Despite the Kremlin's ambitions, Western sanctions have reportedly complicated Russia's access to essential chips and infrastructure required for advancing AI technologies. Nevertheless, Moscow plans to substantially increase its investments in the sector, targeting an annual expenditure of approximately 850 billion rubles (around 8 billion euros) by 2030.

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These models generate enormous volumes of new data and are becoming some of the key tools for information dissemination.