Artificial Intelligence law at Russia
As of 2025, Russia has not enacted a comprehensive standalone Artificial Intelligence (AI) law, but it has taken steps to regulate AI through strategic documents, pilot programs, and amendments to existing legislation. Here's an overview of the AI legal landscape in Russia:
🔹 1. National AI Strategy
Adopted: October 2019
Objective: Position Russia among the global leaders in AI by 2030.
Focus Areas:
Research and development
Education and workforce training
Data access and infrastructure
Legal and ethical frameworks
🔹 2. Key Legal and Regulatory Developments
Digital Economy Program: Russia is integrating AI into its broader digital transformation strategy.
AI Experimentation Zones:
Special legal regimes in regions like Moscow and other pilot cities allow for AI experimentation with relaxed regulations.
Used in fields like autonomous vehicles and facial recognition.
🔹 3. Privacy and Data Laws
Russia’s Federal Law on Personal Data (No. 152-FZ) is a major framework impacting AI, especially for systems processing personal or biometric data.
The law requires data localization, i.e., storing data of Russian citizens on servers within Russia.
🔹 4. Facial Recognition & Surveillance
Widely used in public surveillance, especially in Moscow.
Raised concerns over privacy and human rights.
No comprehensive legislation yet to regulate biometric AI technologies, though individual court cases and policies are emerging.
🔹 5. AI and Autonomous Systems
Self-driving vehicles: Russia has allowed limited public testing under controlled conditions.
Military AI: Russia has signaled intentions to integrate AI in military systems, though details remain classified.
🔹 6. Ethics & Guidelines
In 2021, Russia introduced AI Ethics Code (voluntary).
Developed by Sberbank and supported by the Ministry of Digital Development.
Principles: fairness, transparency, accountability, and security.
Summary
| Area | Status |
|---|---|
| AI-specific legislation | ❌ Not yet enacted |
| National AI strategy | ✅ Adopted (2019–2030) |
| Privacy laws | ✅ Enforced (data localization, consent) |
| Ethical guidelines | ✅ Voluntary AI Ethics Code |
| Military & surveillance AI | ✅ Active but opaque |
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