Over 90 projects in Moscow use artificial intelligence

The Cloud City Forum focused on the future of BRICS mega-cities concluded in Moscow. It welcomed over 13 thousand visitors, including public officers and business representatives, scientists and activists from 30 countries. The business program featured over 50 sessions.

“Moscow utilizes the full potential of all technologies used by smart cities all around the world: blockchain, digital twins, and meta-verses, internet of things, etc. We deliver hundreds of IT projects annually. Each of them improves the quality of life for the residents. Moscow is a leader in artificial intelligence, using the technology of over 90 city-wide projects,” commented Natalya Sergunina, Deputy Moscow Mayor when discussing the Forum’s agenda.

The Moscow Government shares its experience regularly, and studies advanced practices offered by BRICS mega-cities. Experts review best innovation practices, analyzing the prospects for localizing them in Moscow. About 550 cases have been examined to date.

We cooperate with our BRICS partners in all key areas like technologies, economy, entrepreneurship, culture, youth projects. Together, we organize festivals, exhibitions, round tables, business missions, and ambitious forums, such as this one. In a few recent years, dozens of agreements have been concluded to strengthen partner relations,” added Natalya Sergunina.

Technological advancement

Over 17.5 per cent of Russian high tech companies, a third of researchers, over 200 universities, or a fifth of the entire national capacity, along with 19 per cent of non-resource, non-energy exports, 90 per cent of the cinema industry, and 22 per cent of the creative industry companies are concentrated in Moscow.

“We are continuing our comprehensive support for the high-tech sector, and industries that support output of vital products. Our plans include almost doubling the number of our high tech companies, and growing the total number of small and medium businesses by 38 per cent by 2030,” emphasized Natalya Sergunina.

The city hosts regular career choice programs, career fests that introduce young people to promising future jobs and explain their advantages. There are free training and practical courses for those who are interested. Thousands of these events take place every year at different venues. The VDNKh Technograd is one of the largest, welcoming about two million visitors since its launch.

Digital opportunities

One of Moscow’s foundational principles is “City as a Service”. As many services as possible in all areas, from healthcare and education to culture and utilities, have been digitalized. All of them can be found at mos.ru, the main digital portal of Moscow.

An important goal is to provide residents with the services proactively, with no extra applications required. If the system knows about any services a person is entitled to, they will get a notification. All they have to do is to accept them. Several proactive services like this are being offered in Moscow now.

Thanks to the digital services, Muscovites could skip submitting about a billion certificates that would otherwise be required.