Russian legislation currently lacks a single, unified definition of artificial intelligence. Analysts have identified five distinct definitions within various legal acts, including the National Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence until 2030 and Federal Law No. 243-FZ.
The National Strategy, approved by Presidential Decree No. 490 on October 10, 2019, and Federal Law No. 243-FZ of July 26, 2026, provide slightly different interpretations of AI. While the Strategy focuses on imitating human cognitive functions, the law includes provisions for systems that may exceed human intellectual performance.
The legal framework is further complicated by the existence of multiple national standards (GOST). Key documents such as GOST R 59276-2020 and GOST R 59277-2020 offer their own technical definitions, which sometimes differ from those found in federal laws and presidential decrees.
Experts note that these definitions are often temporary and subject to change. Federal Law No. 243-FZ allows for special regulatory regimes, meaning the terminology may evolve as technology advances, such as the potential emergence of 'Strong AI' concepts.
