I came across a recent Forbes article analyzing the future of the generative AI market in the BRICS+ nations, and the numbers are staggering. A report by Yakov and Partners estimates the economic impact could reach $350–$600 billion by 2030.
However, the distribution of this value is heavily skewed. The report projects that 86% of this total ($301–$516 billion) will be captured by China. The remaining 14% ($49–$84 billion) is left to be divided among India, Brazil, Russia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. For Russia, India, and Brazil combined, the share is not expected to exceed 12%, or $42–$72 billion for all three.
From my perspective on the ground, these macro-level forecasts meet a challenging reality. Many companies in Russia have yet to complete even basic process automation. The foundation for advanced AI integration is still being built.
Despite this, the trajectory is clear. Sooner or later, businesses will realize that implementing AI isn’t just about automation; it’s about hyperautomation. This is a fundamental shift where AI acts as an additional, scalable workforce, capable of creating an entirely new sector within the economy. The rapid adoption numbers support this—while no Russian company had fully implemented a generative AI solution in 2023, by mid-2024, 54% were using it in at least one business function.
While the current market share for Russia seems modest, the real opportunity isn’t just in adopting AI, but in using it to redefine how work gets done.
Source: Forbes Russia