Expert: It is easier for authoritarian Russia to develop and use AI than for Western countries

Katarzyna Zysk, professor at the Norwegian Armed Forces Academy, told PAP that it is easier for authoritarian Russia to develop and use artificial intelligence than for Western countries. However, the imposed sanctions and the outflow of specialists make it difficult for the Kremlin to fully use AI. Moscow is doing best in the information war.

Russia is supposed to be favored by the lack of democratic legal and ethical restrictions. Unlike Western countries, The Kremlin can freely use data from mass surveillance, monitoring systems and social media platforms. Authorities are not limited by strict privacy and information protection regulations.

– This allows the Kremlin to create huge data sets necessary to train algorithms. The state also has full control over the technology sector, which allows AI development to be directed almost exclusively towards military applications and internal security. These are solutions “on steroids” – said Zysk.

Although artificial intelligence has been developed for years, and this process significantly accelerated after 2010, Moscow's capabilities began to shrink after the introduction of sanctions and technological isolation. Limited access to microprocessors turned out to be difficult to overcome, leading to Russian dependence on Chinese supplies. Many specialists were supposed to emigrate abroad even before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

– Centrally managed development is also plagued by typical Russian diseases: corruption and bureaucracy. Therefore, progress, although crucial for the authorities in Moscow, is slowing down, said the Norwegian expert.

According to her, Russia is successful in some fields. It effectively used artificial intelligence in the so-called cognitive war, influencing the perception of the war in Ukraine by Western European societies.

– They combine technology with propaganda and disinformation, spreading false content and manipulating public debate. According to reports to which I had access, 70 percent fake news appearing in public discussion was created by or at the request of Russians – noted Zysk.

The professor noticed that the democratic West was not defenseless. The answer to the challenges posed by Moscow should be education, critical thinking and better coordination between the institutions of Western countries. An example could be – in Zysk's opinion – Finland, where children already in primary schools have classes in media education and information verification.

– We also need to coordinate activities both within and between countries. A coherent approach will allow us to avoid weak points that will be exploited by the Kremlin's harmful AI-based propaganda. Otherwise, our preventive and defensive actions will be ineffective.

From Oslo Mieszko Czarnecki (PAP)

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