Kirill Chernovol, Researcher of the International Best Practices Analysis Department at the Gaidar Institute, told Vzglyad newspaper, how Russian business uses generative artificial intelligence, why its introduction has not yet become massive and what are the risks for labor market using this technology.
Generative AI helps companies automate routine tasks: preparing documents and analytical materials, processing technical information, creating product descriptions, and communicating with customers. Such solutions are already being used in manufacturing, e-commerce, financial sector, and IT industry. However, adoption rates vary significantly: according to Rosstat data, 5.2% of large and medium-sized organizations used artificial intelligence in 2025, while the figure was 17% among enterprises with more than 500 employees.
"The key issue today is no only the capacity of this technology, but also the readiness of businesses to restructure their processes. Implementing AI requires investment, time, and organizational changes, yet the economic impact is not always immediate. In 2025, 54% of Russian organizations cited high costs as a barrier to AI adoption. Financial burden on companies acts as an additional constraint: if a solution does not promise rapid revenue growth or cost reductions, it is more difficult for businesses to allocate funds for large-scale changes," noted Kirill Chernovol.
According to the economist, many companies currently limit themselves to isolated experiments rather than restructuring operations of entire departments using AI. For instance, a study by Strategy Partners revealed that only 7–10% of pilot projects involving AI assistants capable of autonomously executing sequences of actions, actually reach the stage of permanent implementation. Furthermore, 73% of the surveyed companies lack a manager with the authority to independently make decisions regarding changes to the relevant workflows.
Kirill Chernovol also highlighted risks to labor market and the widening gap between large and small companies. Generative AI could automate certain office tasks and raise employee skill requirements. However, data from international studies does not yet confirm mass layoffs; according to the OECD, 83% of small and medium-sized enterprises using generative AI have not seen a change in their overall staffing needs.
"In the long run, the advantage will go to companies capable of not merely using the ready made AI tools but adapting solutions to their specific tasks and data. This is particularly important in the industrial sector, where errors and information leaks can come at a high cost. Therefore, implementing generative AI is not a matter of simply installing a single service, but rather a comprehensive undertaking involving technology, data, and internal processes," the expert concluded.