English 
Spanish 
3 min read
0 comments
With the launch of GigaChat, Russia enters the race for artificial intelligence, ranking 31st globally. In a strategic move, Putin joins forces with China, betting on the BRICS alliance to overcome sanctions, develop technology and confront US dominance.
The race for artificial intelligence is one of the biggest technological challenges of our time, and Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, does not want to be left out. In April 2023, the launch of GigaChat, a chatbot that promised to rival ChatGPT, showed that the country intends to gain relevance in this sector. But does Russia have what it takes to compete with AI giants such as the US and China? And what does its alliance with Beijing mean for the global balance?
A New Player on the AI Board: The Launch of GigaChat
In a strategic move, Russia has announced GigaChat, its first major step into conversational AI. The idea? To create a worthy competitor to technologies like ChatGPT. However, in Tortoise Media’s Global AI Index, Russia ranks only 31st out of 83 countries evaluated. This makes it clear that there is still room for improvement. there is a lot of work to be done.
Despite the enthusiasm, experts question whether GigaChat can truly compete on equal terms with tools developed in the US and China. While the Russian chatbot seeks to stand out, it faces infrastructure and funding limitations.
- How much does it cost to leave your cell phone charger plugged into the socket without charging any device?
- Company launches bike with two chains — Helps people travel further with less effort
- Royal Navy bombshell scandal: British nuclear submarines at risk after using Belarusian-designed software, experts warn
- The Real Reason Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg Attended Trump's Inauguration
Why is Russia lagging behind in the AI race?
Economic sanctions imposed by the US and its allies have made it harder for Russia to access key technologies, such as advanced GPUs, that are crucial to AI development. This restriction has not only slowed progress but also made it harder for Russian companies and researchers to innovate.
German Gref, CEO of Sberbank, acknowledged in 2023 that high-performance chips needed for AI are one of the biggest hurdles. This shortage is forcing Russia to look for alternatives — and its alliance with China appears to be a natural solution.
Strategic Alliance with China: A Step Forward
With China as a partner, Russia hopes to overcome its technological barriers. The Kremlin has already announced plans to intensify cooperation with the BRICS countries, especially in the field of AI.
The BRICS alliance, made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, represents an emerging economic force. This alliance could provide Russia with the support it needs to advance in the technology race.
China also faces sanctions in the field of semiconductors, but has made remarkable progress in AI. Their expertise and infrastructure could be key to boosting Russia and challenging them together for US dominance.
The geopolitical implications of this alliance
The partnership between Russia and China is seen as a direct threat to Western dominance in technology. For the US, this alliance represents a new challenge in the geopolitical landscape.
If Russia can overcome its limitations and leverage Chinese support, the world could witness a significant shift in the balance of technological power. However, there are still uncertainties about the success of this collaboration.
Putin’s plan to bring Russia into the AI race may be ambitious, but it is not without its challenges. The alliance with China is a strategic move that promises to shake up the global game. But as Russia tries to make headway, the question remains: will this plan be enough to transform the country into an AI powerhouse? Time will tell.
