MOSCOW, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Russia is ready to make its domestic digital platforms, including social networks, messaging services and video platforms, available to foreign partners, Russian Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Maksut Shadayev said Friday.
Shadayev made the remarks at a plenary session of the Kazan Digital Week 2026 International Forum, which began Thursday in Russia's Republic of Tatarstan and will end Saturday.
He added that artificial intelligence (AI) models could be adapted to meet the legal requirements and reflect the cultural characteristics of other countries.
The MAX messenger, developed by Russian technology company VK, was cited as an example of a successful domestic platform. VK CEO Vladimir Kiriyenko said the service had reached 140 million users within a year of its launch, including foreign users. Around 16.5 million channels have been created, the Digital ID service has been launched, and AI models are being actively used, he said.
Participants also discussed challenges facing AI development and growing cyber threats, stressing that cybersecurity systems must keep pace with advances in digital technologies.
Rustam Minnikhanov, head of the Republic of Tatarstan, said the region had allocated 5 billion rubles (about 62 million U.S. dollars) for the systematic development of AI. Three IT parks are operating in the region, hosting more than 1,000 resident companies, while 343 high-tech companies are based in the Innopolis special economic zone, he said.
First held in 2020, Kazan Digital Week has become one of Russia's major regional platforms for discussing digital transformation.
The forum's business program features 10 thematic tracks and more than 100 sessions covering areas ranging from public administration, education and healthcare to agriculture, finance, culture and cybersecurity. ■