Russia Pursues AI Sovereignty but Faces Critical Chip Shortage (time.com)

• Putin's commission includes defense and security chiefs, blurring civil-military AI lines.
• New MSU AI faculty offers scholarships and access to a supercomputer, but only 72 students.
• Russia's chip manufacturing lags decades behind US and China; relies on gray-market imports.
• US anti-smuggling measures and tracking proposals could cut off chip supply.
• Industry leaders resist bill mandating 'spiritual values' in AI due to feasibility concerns.

"Russia is accelerating efforts to build domestic AI capabilities, but its lack of advanced semiconductor manufacturing and reliance on smuggled Western chips and uncertain Chinese supplies pose fundamental obstacles. President Putin established a commission, revamped education, and launched a new AI faculty at Moscow State University, led by his daughter. However, brain drain and the inability to produce cutting-edge hardware limit progress."