A study by HSE University and Online Market Intelligence reveals that Russian internet users now integrate AI-generated answers into their search routines alongside traditional link lists. 74% of users start daily tasks with a search engine, while nearly half rely on AI summaries directly in the search results.
Yandex's Alice AI leads the market for standalone chatbots, with 40% of respondents using it regularly and 82% having used it at least once. In terms of brand awareness, GigaChat is recognized by 84% of users, while ChatGPT holds 86%. However, ChatGPT remains ahead in usage, with 54% of respondents having experience with it compared to 49% for GigaChat.
User behavior varies by task: 33% prefer traditional search for products or services, while AI is increasingly used for complex analysis, document processing, and creative tasks. 48% of users primarily utilize AI for information gathering, while 29% use it to explain complex topics and 27% to generate conclusions.
Younger users aged 18–24 show higher adoption rates, with 53% reading AI summaries more frequently and 37% opting for dedicated AI chats for complex tasks. The study, conducted in July–August 2026, surveyed 1,000 participants across Russia using the U&A methodology.
