Putin doesn't own a smartphone, Russia falls behind in AI race: A boon or bane?

When artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology are changing the world fast, Russian President Vladimir Putin is sticking to old ways. He reportedly doesn’t have a smartphone and keeps technology use low among the people close to him. This old-fashioned approach is very different from what other world leaders are doing—many of them are not only using AI but also promoting it to grow their economies, improve government, and protect their countries.

As AI changes how the world works, Russia’s choice to stay behind brings up an important question: Is this delay in using AI a mistake, or is it a smart move to avoid modern risks?

Falling behind: Russia’s diminishing role in AI

AI has become a key area of global competition. Countries like US and China are spending a lot of money to build strong AI systems, using the technology to grow their economies, improve military plans and influence politics. But according to the Global AI Index by Tortoise Media, Russia is far behind—ranking 31st, even lower than smaller countries like Luxembourg and Ireland.

One big reason Russia is falling behind in AI is the impact of Western sanctions after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. A Reuters report from January says these sanctions have made it very hard for Russia to get advanced technology and important computer parts like microchips. These chips—especially GPUs, which are needed to train AI—are in short supply.

Sberbank, Russia’s biggest bank and leader in AI work, has only managed to get 9,000 GPUs since the war started. In comparison, Microsoft got almost 500,000 during the same time, according to the Financial Times.

On top of that, Russia is losing a lot of its tech talent. The Financial Times also reported that about 10 per cent of Russia’s tech workers have left the country since 2022. This brain drain makes it harder for Russia to keep up in areas like AI, which need both strong tech systems and skilled researchers. Without these, it’s difficult for the country to make progress in AI development.

A technological iron curtain

Russia’s slow progress in AI might seem like a mistake, but some experts believe it’s actually part of a plan. They say President Putin is purposely limiting digital technology inside the country. By tightly controlling internet access and data systems, the Russian government has created a modern-day version of the “Iron Curtain”—a barrier that blocks the free flow of information and reduces public dissent, according to the Financial Times.

In the past, digital tools have played a big role in helping people resist strict governments. Social media helped spark major protests during the Arab Spring and in Hong Kong, where online platforms made it easier for people to organise and speak out.

In contrast, Russia’s underdeveloped AI sector helps the government maintain a tightly controlled digital space, where opposing views are harder to share and the state’s message is dominant, as reported by Radio Free Europe.

Without advanced AI tools and digital platforms to organise and spread messages, Putin’s political opponents struggle to reach and inspire the public. Seen this way, the Kremlin’s lack of AI development isn’t just falling behind—it’s a strategy to protect the regime by choosing control and stability over technological progress.

Military cost of isolation

However, Russia’s lack of progress in AI is coming at a cost—especially when it comes to the military. Modern armies are quickly using AI in many ways such as in self-operating machines, predicting threats, managing supplies and carrying out cyberattacks.

Military experts are concerned that Russia’s growing isolation could make the gap between its military abilities and those of Nato even wider, especially if AI plays a key role in future wars.

Back in 2017, President Putin himself spoke about how powerful AI could be in warfare. According to a report by the Associated Press in September of that year, he said that the country that leads in AI would “rule the world”.

But even though he recognised AI’s importance early on, his government has not made the long-term investments or built the strong technology base needed to keep up.

There are some efforts underway—like Sberbank’s development of GigaChat and Yandex’s creation of YandexGPT. A Reuters report from December 2024 noted these as important steps. Still, they aren’t enough to close the growing gap between Russia and top AI leaders like the US and China.

Sanctions as strategic deterrence

Interestingly, the way the international community is using technology sanctions against Russia might be creating a new kind of strategy known as “deterrence-by-denial.” By cutting off Russia’s access to GPUs and other important parts needed for AI, Western countries are making it harder for Russia to upgrade its military. As reported by the Financial Times, this could help stop future aggression by limiting Russia’s ability to keep up with modern warfare.

This approach is similar to the old strategies used during the Cold War, but instead of focusing on nuclear weapons, the focus now is on computer power and smart algorithms. While Russia still depends on traditional weapons and nuclear tools to show its strength, future wars may be won with software and digital tools rather than tanks and cannons.

In addition, helping Russian tech experts move to Western countries could make this strategy even stronger. The Financial Times explained that by offering easier visa access to skilled AI workers, Western nations can both weaken Russia’s talent pool and strengthen their own.

China: Russia’s lifeline in the AI arena?

As it becomes more cut off from Western technology, Russia is turning toward the East for help. President Putin has pushed for more cooperation with China on AI development. According to a Reuters report from January 2025, this includes working through Sberbank and a new group called the AI Alliance Network, which brings together Brics countries and other non-Western partners. This is part of a bigger plan to work around Western technology restrictions by teaming up with friendly nations.

China, which has a strong AI industry and powerful computing systems, could give Russia the support it needs. Through joint research, sharing data, and using affordable Chinese AI models like DeepSeek-V3, Russia may be able to build decent AI systems—even if they’re not the most advanced in the world.

However, this kind of partnership isn’t without problems. Depending too much on China could make Russia more reliant on a single country and limit its freedom to make independent decisions.

Illusion of latecomer advantage

Some people believe that Russia could still catch up in AI, even if it’s late to the game. By using its limited resources wisely and building on open-source or Chinese-made AI models, Russia might be able to skip over some of the early development steps. The Financial Times points out that China’s DeepSeek-V3 model shows powerful AI doesn’t always have to come from countries that spend the most.

But this hopeful view ignores some big challenges. To really grow in AI, a country needs strong data access, connections with modern industries and long-term investment in skilled people.

Even though Russia is making some visible moves—like putting younger, more tech-focused officials in key positions and holding conferences to talk about AI investment—these actions may not be enough. According to a Reuters report from December 2024, without access to global networks and advanced computing power, Russia’s progress will likely remain limited.

Cultural resistance and AI ethics

Putin’s refusal to use Western AI models isn’t only about technology—it’s also about beliefs. He has openly criticised AI created in the West, saying these systems promote values that go against Russian traditions. In a speech covered by the Associated Press in November 2023, he warned that Western AI shows “xenophobia” and tries to erase Russian culture, language and values.

Because of this, Russia’s work in AI is being shaped not just by technical limits, but also by cultural resistance. Putin has promised to develop AI based on what he calls “traditional values”, which shows he sees AI as a way to protect national identity, not just improve technology.

This local approach might attract other countries that are also cautious about relying on AI from US or China. But at the same time, focussing too much on ideology can limit progress. By putting beliefs ahead of efficiency and international teamwork, Russia risks falling even further behind in an AI race that depends on openness, cooperation and access to a wide variety of data.

Between obsolescence and control

Russia’s slow entry into the world of AI is both a weakness and a planned political move. On one side, the country risks falling behind in technology for both civilian use and military power. Sanctions, a shrinking tech workforce and a lack of powerful computing tools have limited its ability to grow in AI.

On the other side, by slowing down digital progress, the Russian government has been able to keep tighter control at home and prevent the spread of online tools that could support protests or opposition.

Putin’s choice to avoid smartphones and reject digital openness may seem old-fashioned, but to him, it’s a necessary way to protect the State. While other major countries are moving quickly with AI, Russia is in a tough spot—wanting to be part of the global AI race, but also wanting to keep the political system that gives its leaders control.

In the end, whether Russia’s current path is smart or risky depends on who answers the question. For those who support global democracy or work in Nato defence, Russia’s delay is a lucky break that keeps it from becoming more powerful. But for Putin, it’s a risky bet—trying to stay in control while the rest of the world speeds ahead with AI. It’s a decision that could define his legacy in this new era driven by artificial intelligence.