Researchers from the HSE University analyzed data from the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey covering nearly 10,000 employees for 2023 and 2024. The study reveals that AI adoption remains niche in Russia, with only 11% of workers using the technology occasionally and 1.6% using it regularly.
The findings indicate that regular AI use correlates with higher earnings. While initial data suggested a 13.4% wage premium for AI users, adjusting for pre-2022 salary levels reduced this figure to 6%. However, for highly skilled professionals, regular AI integration can boost earnings by up to 41.8%.
The report highlights that the benefits of AI are concentrated in sectors such as IT, media, law, and finance. In the IT sector, 36% of employees utilize AI tools. Researchers note that occasional use provides no significant salary bonus, suggesting that only deep, regular integration drives productivity gains.
Experts warn that these salary premiums may be temporary. As AI proficiency becomes a standard professional requirement rather than a specialized skill, the competitive advantage currently enjoyed by early adopters is expected to diminish, similar to the historical trajectory of basic computer literacy.
