Russia: AI must not be exclusive, needs fair access

Artificial intelligence (AI) must not become a closed club for a select group of people, and fair access to resources must be guaranteed, said Kremlin Deputy Chief of Staff Maxim Oreshkin. “AI should not become a closed club for the few or a new global dividing line,” Oreshkin stated at a high-level meeting of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) in Shanghai, China. Oreshkin emphasised that fair access to artificial intelligence resources must be ensured. “Countries need non-discriminatory access to data, computing power, modern models, software products based on those models, and reliable energy infrastructure,” he said. Oreshkin was in Shanghai to lead the Russian delegation participating in the WAICO World AI Conference and the organisation’s high-level meeting from 17 to 20 July. The Russian delegation present in Shanghai included Russian Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev, along with representatives from the foreign and economic development ministries, the presidential administration, and leading Russian AI companies.