Russia prepares strict rules, foreign AI threatened to be blocked or restricted

Russia bans the use of foreign artificial intelligence (AI) technology (photo: dok. scalevise)

JAKARTA - The Russian government is preparing a new regulation that gives broad authority to restrict or even ban the use of foreign artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the country. This step is part of Moscow's grand strategy in strengthening digital sovereignty while suppressing the influence of foreign technology.

Based on the proposal released by the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, foreign AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini could potentially be subject to restrictions if they do not comply with the new rules being drafted. The regulation is scheduled to take effect in 2027 after going through the government's evaluation and approval stages.

The essence of this policy is control over the flow of data across borders. The Russian government considers the use of foreign AI risky because user data - including conversations and requests - is transferred to servers abroad. Under the new rules, all Russian user data is required to be stored within the domestic territory for a minimum of three years.

The Russian Ministry of Digital Development stated that this policy aims to protect citizens from potential hidden manipulation and algorithms that are considered discriminatory. On the other hand, this step also strengthens Russia's "sovereign internet" agenda - a concept designed to reduce dependence on global digital infrastructure and maintain values that are referred to as "traditional Russian".

The regulation is expected to benefit domestic players, including state-owned bank Sberbank and technology giant Yandex, which are developing their own AI models. With restrictions on foreign competitors, the growth space for local AI is becoming more open.

However, a number of experts assess that the implementation of this rule will not run smoothly. Many Western technology companies have previously rejected similar demands regarding local data storage. If this policy is implemented strictly, it is not impossible that global AI services will choose to withdraw from the Russian market rather than having to comply with regulations that are considered restrictive.

On the other hand, open-source or semi-open AI models from other countries, such as China, are considered to have greater opportunities to operate in Russia. This is possible if the system is adapted in a closed infrastructure owned by the government or local companies, so that user data remains in the country.

This Russian move confirms a global trend that is increasingly leading to the fragmentation of the digital ecosystem. In the midst of geopolitical and technological competition, AI is now not only a tool for innovation, but also a strategic instrument that is directly related to state sovereignty and information control.