According to its head, Alexander Babakov, the process should not alarm anyone.
An inter-factional working group has been established in the State Duma to develop laws on the use of artificial intelligence (AI). This was reported by Vedomosti, citing sources. The group, which includes representatives from all factions, will focus on creating legislation for "nationally oriented" AI. The group will operate until the end of the eighth Duma's term, which concludes in 2026.
The working group is chaired by Alexander Babakov, the vice speaker of the lower house and a member of "A Just Russia." Babakov told Vedomosti that the issue of AI regulation "should not alarm anyone," emphasizing that AI is "not a field that can develop purely based on market laws" or focus solely on profit norms. He stressed the importance of considering a wide range of factors, including potential threats—particularly ethical ones—posed by new cross-border technologies. Additionally, Babakov highlighted the need to address issues related to market saturation and its development in conjunction with the energy sector.
The issue of AI development was also raised during the government’s recent report to the State Duma on February 26.
"Russia's strategy is to be among the leaders in the development of artificial intelligence worldwide,"
said Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
The working group was created on the initiative of State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin, according to Anton Tkachev, a member of the "New People" party, in an interview with Vedomosti. The complex issue of AI affects many sectors, Tkachev clarified, including energy for energy-intensive computing, domestic equipment, ethics, international cooperation, data, security, and many other areas. According to Deputy Andrei Svintsov (LDPR), the group's goal is to quickly study the needs of all stakeholders, from small and medium-sized businesses to the interests of the state, and identify priority issues for regulation, as "AI is currently absent in Russian legislation."
Lawmakers will prepare proposals for the effective industry-specific application of AI, including draft laws related to national defense and security. Additionally, they will work on initiatives to combat the use of AI in crimes. The State Duma aims to create a legislative framework for using AI in the strategic planning of Russia's socio-economic development.
The next step is preparing for public parliamentary hearings, sources told Vedomosti. According to one of them, while it is discussed that regulation could lead to an additional burden, no one will be able to manage new technologies "without the guiding hand of the state."
Source: Vedomosti
