Russia is experiencing a tectonic shift in its attitude toward artificial intelligence. Fresh data from a large-scale survey covering 1,500 respondents aged 18 to 55 reveals an impressive level of trust in neural networks: the overall loyalty indicator reached 61%. At the same time, only one in ten study participants expressed categorical distrust.
The figures I am focusing on are telling: 49% of respondents "somewhat trust" AI, and 12% "fully trust" it. A neutral stance was taken by 29% of respondents. Notably, the highest level of trust was recorded among young people aged 18 to 24—a generation that can no longer imagine their lives without algorithmic assistants. Meanwhile, Russians over 45 show noticeable wariness: it is in this age group that the majority of technology opponents are concentrated.
The practical application of neural networks already covers a wide range of everyday tasks. 52% of respondents use AI to generate content—texts, images, and videos. Half of the survey participants actively use the technology for translating materials, and 45% for searching for products. One in three encounters smart algorithms in navigators and maps, and one in five in games and software. Gender differences are also interesting: women more often choose AI for working with content, while men prefer text translation.
Government Turnaround: From Regulation to "Gosplan 2.0"
The growth in public trust coincides with large-scale government reforms. In early July, the State Duma passed in the first reading a framework law on AI, which divides large basic models into "sovereign" and "national." Both groups of developers are required to comply with Russian laws and consider traditional values, as well as label any generated content. Simultaneously, the government introduced 40 specialized services into the work of departments.
The culmination of this trend was Vladimir Putin's instruction to create a strategic planning system "Gosplan 2.0" based on artificial intelligence. The new platform will handle capacity distribution, forecasting demand for raw materials, and coordinating import substitution. This is, without exaggeration, a historic step that could radically change the architecture of economic management.
However, the expansion of control by officials raises questions from businesses. Representatives of the RATEK association criticized the FAS initiative to recognize AI turnover as a strategic sphere. Experts fear that due to vague wording, ordinary smartphones and household appliances could fall under restrictions, potentially provoking a shortage of electronics.
My analysis: The current trust level of 61% is a powerful foundation for digital transformation, but it is fragile. The key risk lies in the imbalance between government regulation and market freedom. If "Gosplan 2.0" is implemented without considering business interests and with vague norms, we risk getting not a breakthrough, but a bureaucratic collapse of innovation. The market needs clear rules of the game, not "manual control" of algorithms.