Analyst: AI unlikely to trigger mass layoffs in Russia, but will reshape jobs

A Russian economist says the spread of artificial intelligence is not expected to cause widespread job losses in the country at this stage, though it is already shifting how people work and what skills employers demand.

Farida Mirzabalaeva, an associate professor at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, told RIA Novosti that the priority is mass retraining programmes and protecting workers from the risks that come with adopting AI. She said the dangers are not tied to sharp cuts in employment.

Instead, she described a gradual automation of some tasks, a growing need for digital skills, and a redistribution of demand for professional skills across industries and occupations. According to the expert, AI will have its strongest effect in finance and insurance, information technology and communications, marketing, logistics and the creative industries. It is expected to spread more slowly into agriculture, construction, transport, healthcare, culture, science and education.

Rising AI use will also raise digital literacy requirements across the population and boost demand for data management specialists, she added.