Sberbank's CEO Gref stated that graphics cards for AI and supercomputers are difficult to substitute, citing US restrictions on chip exports to Russia since 2022. Despite this, Sberbank's first deputy CEO Vedyakhin believes Russia can catch up with the US and China in AI development within six to nine months by focusing on large language models rather than building massive data centers. However, a potential partnership between Russia and China in AI could raise concerns about censorship, as seen in China where officials have tested large language models to ensure they align with "core socialist values".
https://www.insider.com/russia-putin-artificial-intelligence-ai-tech-china-sberbank-challenge-west-2025-1