Rostelecom and the Higher School of Economics (HSE) St. Petersburg have released a joint study on the demand for artificial intelligence within the public sector. The analysis involved over 400 verified AI solutions from the Digital Region platform, alongside interviews with regional digital transformation officials.
The study resulted in the creation of an interactive catalog designed to help government agencies select AI tools tailored to their specific needs. Findings indicate that 90% of current AI implementations focus on optimizing labor and time resources, reducing decision-making errors, and improving forecast accuracy.
The researchers noted that government demand for AI is expected to grow as national development plans progress. While some regions are still defining their approaches, leaders have already deployed over 20 verified solutions and are building internal ecosystems for innovation.
Public sector agencies prioritize customized products over off-the-shelf software, requiring solutions that can be adapted to regional specifics. The most mature sectors for AI integration currently include public administration, healthcare, and transport, with future potential seen in housing, social policy, and education.
Based on these findings, Rostelecom and HSE plan to launch an educational program for AI startups. The initiative aims to help developers align their products with regulatory requirements, security standards, and the practical needs of government clients.