The Russian government, together with representatives of the business community, is actively discussing a revolutionary initiative: a complete abandonment of on-site inspections for companies that have implemented artificial intelligence systems for remote monitoring of their facilities. The Ministry of Digital Development has confirmed that the relevant measures are being developed, although it is still premature to talk about specific rules.
How AI will replace inspectors at facilities
The essence of the proposal is radically simple: if an enterprise has installed AI solutions capable of tracking compliance with requirements in real time, then state inspectors no longer need to personally visit the facility. Algorithms can remotely assess compliance with regulations, which significantly reduces the administrative burden on businesses while maintaining the state's full supervisory function.
Statistics confirm the trend toward fewer inspections: last year, 273,000 control measures were carried out in Russia — 7% less than in 2024. At the same time, scheduled inspections decreased by 13%, and unscheduled ones by 6%. The figures cited by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko clearly demonstrate that the state is already moving toward less intrusive oversight, and AI could become a catalyst for this process.
Business, it seems, is technically ready for such a scenario. According to a study conducted in July by the agency Smart Ranking and the company VK Cloud, about 95% of fast-growing companies already use artificial intelligence as a working tool, and 74% consider it one of their main priorities. Interestingly, in 47% of organizations, the IT department determines the AI implementation strategy, while in 40%, it is marketing and sales.
What the Russian AI market is based on
The technology is already transforming the labor market: according to estimates by Rostislav Kapelyushnikov, deputy director of the Center for Labor Studies at HSE University, about a third of jobs in the country are to some extent at risk due to AI implementation. However, full automation affects less than 1% of positions — algorithms are more likely to change the content of work than to displace people.
The AI market in Russia is growing at an impressive pace. Analysts at the AIANA agency estimated it at 316.1 billion rubles at the end of 2025 — 29.7% more than a year earlier. The baseline scenario assumes growth to 830 billion rubles by 2030. Notably, businesses are increasingly preferring to rent capacity and use ready-made solutions rather than purchase equipment. In the first half of 2026, Yandex AI Studio clients consumed 597 billion tokens — 18 times more than a year earlier.
In parallel, the state is building an institutional framework: rules for sovereign models are being developed, and independent testing laboratories are being created to verify AI systems for compliance with the law and traditional values. The final word will remain with the Ministry of Digital Development.
My view: The initiative to abolish on-site inspections when AI monitoring is in place is not just an administrative concession, but a recognition that digital technologies can ensure a higher level of transparency than the human factor. For the market, this is a signal: investments in AI infrastructure are beginning to yield not only operational efficiency but also a real reduction in regulatory costs. The only question is how quickly the bureaucratic machine can adapt to the new reality.