Headline: Moscow champions digital sovereignty and AI-driven city management

Key facts extracted:

• Moscow deploys AI in over 130 programs covering traffic, healthcare, education, waste, and construction.
• Sergey Cheremin, head of Moscow's external economic relations, advocates for digital sovereignty to ensure infrastructure security and independence from foreign vendors.
• The city's transport AI reduces commute times by up to 30% and uses biometric subway billing.
• 260,000 CCTV cameras integrated with AI cut crime by 90% and car thefts by 15 times over a decade.
• Moscow built a digital twin with 9,000 data layers for urban planning.
• The city actively shares its technology playbook with partners in Southeast Asia, China, India, Africa, and Latin America.

Background: Moscow's AI journey

Artificial intelligence has moved from science fiction to a practical backbone for managing megacities, as demonstrated by Moscow's experience. Speaking at Gitex AI Asia 2026 in Singapore, Sergey Cheremin outlined how the Russian capital, home to 15 million people and a GDP exceeding $450 billion, leverages AI across more than 130 programs. These range from traffic control and healthcare diagnostics to waste management and construction planning. The overarching goal is not just efficiency but also security—achieved through digital sovereignty.

“AI for us is not science fiction or about The Matrix. It's really online management of all municipalities,” Cheremin told the audience. This statement reflects Moscow's pragmatic approach: AI is a tool for real-time urban governance, not a futuristic dream. However, Cheremin warned that reliance on foreign technology vendors creates vulnerabilities, especially for critical infrastructure vulnerable to cyber attacks that could cause electricity blackouts or system failures. To mitigate such risks, Moscow develops all strategic and sensitive technologies in-house, cultivated by expert IT teams. “It's not good to be isolated, but it's also important to be sovereign so you're not dependent on anyone,” he added.

Learning from global cities, building local solutions

Moscow's path to digital transformation began with studying international models. Cheremin recalled his first trip to Singapore in 2010 to examine the city-state's advanced intelligent transport management systems. He realized that foreign systems could not be directly transplanted—they required adaptation to local conditions. Moscow then studied systems from New York, London, Paris, and Barcelona, and engaged companies like Siemens, Cisco, and Thales. Eventually, the city created a tailored traffic management system that uses AI to optimize flow, reducing congestion and saving commuters up to 30% of travel time. Subway access now uses automatic biometric billing, eliminating traditional transport cards.

Security is another domain where AI has delivered dramatic results. Moscow deploys a massive network of over 260,000 CCTV cameras integrated into a single data-processing system. According to Cheremin, this has reduced the city's crime rate by 90% over the past decade and slashed car thefts by 15 times. The system's effectiveness stems from real-time analysis and pattern recognition, allowing law enforcement to respond proactively.

AI in healthcare and urban planning

In healthcare, AI-assisted radiology systems can identify diseases and predict cancers with high accuracy. This saves both time and money for Moscow's healthcare system, enabling earlier interventions and reducing the burden on medical staff. The city's digital twin, built over a decade, is a virtual model incorporating more than 9,000 data layers, from underground infrastructure like subway lines to district demographics. Urban planners use this twin to predict the impact of future construction projects, ensuring that new developments align with the city's long-term needs. This data-driven approach has made Moscow one of the most digitally advanced cities in the world.

Global partnerships and knowledge sharing

Despite its emphasis on digital sovereignty, Moscow remains engaged with the global tech community. Cheremin emphasized city-to-city diplomacy, noting that Moscow actively shares its technological playbook with cities across Southeast Asia, China, India, Africa, and Latin America. He highlighted the strong partnership with Singapore, which began decades ago and continues to evolve. “We understand that the situation is difficult...and it becomes unpredictable sometimes,” he said, referencing global geopolitical tensions. Events like Gitex AI Asia are vital for sharing technological experience and building stable urban platforms. With 80% of the world's population expected to live in cities within two decades, Moscow aims to strengthen its partnerships with ASEAN and Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu.

Moscow's experience demonstrates that AI can transform urban management when backed by a strategy of self-reliance. By developing its own technologies and learning from others, the city has achieved significant gains in efficiency, security, and livability. As other megacities grapple with similar challenges, Moscow's model offers valuable lessons in balancing innovation with sovereignty.

The city's commitment to internal development ensures that critical infrastructure remains under local control, reducing exposure to geopolitical risks or vendor lock-in. At the same time, openness to international cooperation prevents isolation and fosters continuous improvement. Moscow's approach is not one of rejection of foreign technology but of careful adaptation and ownership where it matters most. The result is a resilient ecosystem that can withstand external pressures while delivering tangible benefits to citizens.

For example, the traffic management system alone has saved millions of hours for commuters annually, contributing to economic productivity and quality of life. The CCTV network has made streets safer, encouraging tourism and business activity. In healthcare, early detection of diseases through AI reduces long-term costs and improves patient outcomes. The digital twin allows planners to avoid costly mistakes and optimize resource allocation. These outcomes are not accidental but stem from a deliberate policy of investing in local talent and infrastructure.

Moscow's model also includes international knowledge exchange: the city hosts delegations, participates in forums, and shares its technical blueprints. This does not compromise sovereignty because the core systems are homegrown and adapted to local needs. Other cities can adopt similar approaches by studying Moscow's successes and failures. The future of urban management lies in such collaborative yet self-sufficient strategies, and Moscow is positioning itself as a leader in this space.

As AI continues to evolve, Moscow plans to expand its applications into areas like predictive maintenance of public utilities, personalized education, and environmental monitoring. The city's experience shows that the benefits of AI are most profound when deployed with a clear understanding of local context and a commitment to retaining control over critical technologies. This dual focus on innovation and sovereignty will define the next generation of smart cities worldwide.

Source: ComputerWeekly.com News