Russian Officials Offer Contrasting Views on AI's Impact on Labor Market

Two senior Russian officials presented differing assessments of artificial intelligence's influence on employment, according to reports from the state news agency TASS.

At a press conference following a Central Bank board meeting, Elvira Nabiullina, the governor of the Bank of Russia, said that AI is not yet playing a decisive role in the labor market. "As regards artificial intelligence, we do not see thus far the macroeconomic effect from the standpoint of the labor market; it is not playing the determining role to date," she said, as quoted by TASS. Nabiullina acknowledged that AI improves labor productivity for individual companies that use it effectively, but predicted that "the effect of this factor will grow over time."

Speaking separately at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova offered a more forward-looking perspective. According to TASS, Golikova stated that "artificial intelligence will affect about 40% of global employment, and up to 60% in developed economies." She added that the magnitude of the effect would depend on adaptation institutions, and noted that AI "does not always lead to a reduction in employment." Golikova also reported that more than 90% of employers in sectors including education, healthcare, finance, transport, and telecommunications identified artificial intelligence as a key trend.

Both officials spoke in the context of ongoing discussions about technological change and its economic implications. Nabiullina also addressed the labor market more broadly, noting "certain cooldown signs" in the current situation, and emphasized that labor market conditions are an important factor, though not the only one, in the Central Bank's decisions on the key interest rate.

The statements reflect a nuanced official view: while AI's transformative potential is acknowledged, policymakers suggest its macroeconomic effects are still emerging. Nabiullina's comments indicate that, for now, AI's impact on employment remains limited at the aggregate level, even as individual firms reap productivity gains. Golikova's projections, by contrast, point to substantial disruption ahead, particularly in advanced economies.

Neither official provided specific timelines for the projected changes, and TASS did not report any detailed methodology behind the figures cited by Golikova. The remarks come as governments worldwide grapple with the implications of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence for workers and industries.

This article was compiled from reports by TASS. The two sets of comments were delivered on different occasions and reflect the distinct portfolios of the officials: Nabiullina speaking on monetary policy and current economic conditions, and Golikova addressing broader labor and social policy issues at an economic forum.