Putin Turns Russia’s AI Future Into a Kremlin Family Business
Vladimir Putin is entrusting Russia’s AI and digital sectors to his daughter Katerina Tikhonova and the children of allies like Sergei Shoigu, as part of his push for technological sovereignty. The two women participated in the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, where AI, digital services, and rare earth metals were key discussion topics.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expanding his family’s influence over the country’s technological future. His younger daughter, Katerina Tikhonova, and Ksenia Shoigu—the daughter of Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu—are now central to Putin’s push for ‘technological sovereignty,’ a priority highlighted at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum. The forum, held annually, focused on artificial intelligence, digital services, and the strategic race for rare earth metals. Both women attended, signaling their roles in shaping Russia’s tech and economic policies under Kremlin oversight. Putin’s strategy appears to blend state control with familial ties, reinforcing elite influence in critical sectors. The move underscores how Russia’s digital and AI development is being directed through trusted networks, potentially insulating it from broader geopolitical pressures. Analysts note this could further concentrate power within Putin’s inner circle, blending economic and familial loyalty. The forum’s emphasis on AI and digital infrastructure reflects Russia’s ambition to reduce reliance on Western technology amid global tensions.
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