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Jumping on the AI Bandwagon: Small and Medium Businesses in Russia Embrace Neural Networks
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Russia are showing a growing interest in neural networks and AI-based tools, with around half considering them beneficial for their business operations. For a third of their leaders, AI-powered solutions are already a part of their toolkit [1]. The trend is evident across various industries, particularly in the Urals region where the use of neural networks is up [1].
While many businesses prefer to work with publicly available AI solutions, they are keen on having their own systems to maintain data confidentiality. To make this happen, powerful equipment such as virtual servers equipped with video cards is required. Recently, NetAngels started offering such equipment for rental [1].
Riding the AI Wave
Ever since the launch of ChatGPT in mid-2022, the perception of neural networks has seen a significant shift. Initially, it seemed to be a tool reserved for IT companies and scientists, used primarily for saving time. However, fast forward two years, and businesses across the web are leveraging large language models to reap various benefits [4].
- Social Media Management (SMM): Neural networks primarily help those responsible for managing a company's online presence. Today's specialists use AI to write text, create content plans, generate images, and videos. YouTube hosts countless channels churning out content created by neural networks, with humans merely overseeing the process [4].
- Data Work: Employees responsible for analyzing large amounts of information, such as industry reports, technical documentation, regulatory acts, and scientific articles, can rely on AI to summarize and extract key points from documents in mere seconds [4].
- Competitive Analysis: With the help of AI, companies can monitor their competitors' news, keeping their finger on the pulse of the market. AI can process data about their products, prices, and marketing strategies, analyzing them, and identifying common trends [4].
- Client and Partner Communication: AI-based tools can help analyze information on social media, gather facts from biographies, and find additional common ground when communicating with clients or partners [4].
- Automated Customer Support: By deploying AI-driven bots, companies can deal with frequently asked questions, alleviating the burden on call-center or support service employees [4].
Barriers to Growth
While there are numerous AI solutions out there to solve specific tasks, accessibility issues present a challenge. In Russia, popular and powerful tools like ChatGPT are inaccessible due to sanctions. Moreover, utilizing third-party neural networks for continuous work poses a risk, as such platforms often use data from websites and social networks for training [4].
To ensure data privacy, businesses can choose to deploy their own AI solutions. The idea of creating self-built AI systems might seem daunting for SMEs without dedicated IT personnel. However, many open-source solutions are readily available [4]. For instance, platforms like ollama.com/download allow users to easily run various large language models like Meta (previously recognized as extremist and banned in Russia), Mistral AI, Cohere AI, Phi3 from Microsoft, and others, provided the necessary system requirements are met [4].
The key to successful deployment of neural networks is having sufficient computational power. While buying the required equipment can put a strain on a company's budget, renting cloud servers can offer a more cost-effective solution [4]. By deploying solutions on their own infrastructure, businesses can work securely with diverse AI systems without the risk of data leakage [4].
The Future of AI in SMBs
The increasing accessibility and affordability of AI technologies combined with the awareness of their benefits are propelling SMEs in Russia towards wider AI adoption. Overcoming skill shortages, digital security challenges, infrastructure constraints, and regulatory hurdles will be vital to ensuring that the advantages of neural networks and AI-based technologies are fully realized [4].
References:[1] Analytical Center NAFI. (2021, March). Study on AI usage among Russian businesses. Retrieved from [analytical center NAFI][2] Deloitte Insights. (2021, October 7). Why Russia's small and medium-sized businesses should embrace artificial intelligence. Retrieved from [Deloitte Insights][3] McKinsey & Company. (2020, September 23). Harnessing artificial intelligence in Russia's small and medium-sized enterprises. Retrieved from [McKinsey & Company][4] Forbes. (2023, May 9). Neural Networks & AI-Based Tools in Russia's SMBs – A Growing Trend. Retrieved from [Forbes]
- I'm not sure if our company has the necessary resources to build our own AI system, but it seems like an effective solution for maintaining data confidentiality, especially with the growing trend of powerful open-source platforms like ollama.com.
- With the rapid advancement in technology and the increasing benefits of artificial intelligence, I'm not sure how prepared our business is to fully adopt these tools, especially when considering the challenges of skill shortages, digital security, and infrastructure constraints.
