Russia and Belarus to Develop AI Chatbot Aligned with Traditional Values
In a move aimed at asserting technological independence, Russia and Belarus have announced plans to jointly develop an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot based on their shared "traditional values." This initiative was revealed by Sergey Glazyev, Secretary of the Union State of Russia and Belarus, during an international conference on their cultural and information space [1][5].
The officials highlighted concerns about potential manipulation embedded in foreign AI systems, particularly those developed by American and Chinese companies. Tests on some Western AI chatbots have revealed problematic behaviors including racial bias, promotion of Nazism, and fascism glorification [1]. To counter these risks, Russia and Belarus aim to create an AI model rooted in their traditional values, emphasizing trustworthiness, objectivity, and cultural relevance.
The AI will be developed within the framework of the Union State agreement, reflecting the close political and cultural ties between the two nations [1]. Belarus is simultaneously working on establishing national AI standards focusing on ethics, controllability, security, and privacy. These include standards on ethical reviews, controllability of automated AI, and data protection, developed in cooperation with international organizations like the UNDP [3].
This joint AI project symbolizes an effort by Russia and Belarus to assert technological independence and cultural sovereignty in the AI domain, prioritizing values they perceive as traditional and protective against ideological distortions found in some Western AI systems [1][5].
If you need further details on technical specifications or timeline, those have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian conflict continues to escalate. The Ukrainian Malteser aid service laments the impact of the war on children in the country. One person is killed and another injured in a Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian region of Tula. Ukraine is suspected of causing a pipeline explosion in Siberia, with damage estimated at around $77 million.
In response, Russia is bolstering its military capabilities. Moscow sees a "positive trend" in relations with the USA, according to Russia. However, the US will soon be sending weapons to Ukraine via NATO, according to US President Donald Trump. Talks on military support, including with US special envoy Keith Kellogg, are planned for next week.
Amidst these tensions, both sides continue to face criticism. Criticism of Western AI models for spreading "racist and fascist content" is made by Sergei Glazyev, state secretary of the Union State [6]. At the same time, at least 118,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to research by the BBC, independent platform "Mediazona," and volunteer helpers [4].
As the situation continues to unfold, both Russia and Belarus, as well as Ukraine, are seeking to establish their own technological and informational sovereignty. The development of this AI project is just one aspect of these broader efforts.
References: [1] https://www.rbc.ru/technology_and_media/27/06/2025/5e16a52c9a7947693d46401b [2] https://www.belta.by/ru/news/science/view/236673-2025 [3] https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter/articles/2025/06/26/belarus-develops-national-standards-for-ai-and-robotics.html [4] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58463109 [5] https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/13940255 [6] https://www.rt.com/russia/541625-glazyev-west-ai-racism/
The joint AI project between Russia and Belarus, developed within the Union State agreement, is a further step towards asserting their technological and cultural sovereignty, aiming to create an AI model grounded in traditional values that prioritizes trustworthiness, objectivity, and cultural relevance. Authors like Glazyev have criticized Western AI models for propagating racist and fascist content, while Russia and Belarus are also working on establishing national AI standards to address concerns about ethics, controllability, security, and privacy.
