NAS: AI used in all sectors of Belarus’ economy

The Academician-Secretary of the Department of Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science at the National Academy of Sciences, Aleksandr Shumilin, shared his views during the Artificial Intelligence in Belarus forum

“The AI technologies are universal, and there is now not a single branch of the economy where these technologies are not used. Young people play an active role in the process. The country has built a system of support for talented children. We regularly hold contests and festivals where young people can show their mettle and find potential investors. During a recent meeting with students of universities of engineering and technical profile, Belarus’ President stated that the country needs an accelerated technological revolution. This would be impossible without artificial intelligence technologies, so this area is actively developing at present,” Mr. Shumilin said.

Commenting on the spheres where the AI technologies are used, the scientist noted, “Belarus is a machine-building country, and it manufactures its own cars and machines. It may take several years to design a car using traditional methods, but digital twins can reduce this period tenfold. That’s what we are already doing.”

In total, about $200bn is planned to be invested in the development of artificial intelligence technologies globally in 2025, and this figure is expected to exceed $600bn by 2028. This is understandable: such technologies significantly reduce production costs.

Returning to the Belarusian experience, Mr. Shumilin outlined the range of directions in which AI developers are currently working. First of all, AI is actively used in mechanical engineering in the design of complex components, as well as in the banking sector and precision agriculture. The number of so-called smart projects is also growing: these are smart cities, smart farms, smart speakers, and so on.

Mr. Shumilin also addressed all those worried of whether AI is threatening humans, “Artificial intelligence does not develop by itself, it is the result of the scientists’ work. In Belarus, we consider AI not as a substitute for a person, but as an assistant to a specialist. In medicine, for example, AI technologies are widely implemented, but the diagnosis is still determined by a doctor.”