№ 47, 2024. PIR Center conducted an expert seminar to discuss the report titled “From the Gulf to Sub-Saharan Africa: Digital Technology Development and Russia’s Interests”

MOSCOW. NOVEMBER 15, 2024. PIR PRESS. “One of our tasks is to have a strategic vision of Russia’s interests in the field of new technologies, where they correlate peacefully or not… We are studying these issues and, for the second year, have been closely monitoring Africa and the Persian Gulf, analyzing challenges and opportunities for Russia,” — Dr. Vladimir Orlov, Founding Director of PIR Center, in the introduction for the report “From the Gulf to Sub-Saharan Africa: Digital Technology Development and Russia’s Interests.”

On November 8, 2024, in the format of the Midweek Brainstorming Session, PIR Center conducted an expert seminar to discuss the report titled “From the Gulf to Sub-Saharan Africa: Digital Technology Development and Russia’s Interests”. The event focused on the prospects of digitalization, cybersecurity challenges, and Russia’s role in the development of technologies in the Persian Gulf and Sub-Saharan Africa. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Leonid V. Tsukanov, PIR Center Consultant. The seminar brought together leading Russian experts, as well as representatives from academia, business institutions, and students.

In his welcoming speech, Dr. Vladimir A. Orlov, Founding Director of PIR Center and Professor at MGIMO University, emphasized the importance of digital technologies in strengthening international cooperation and national sovereignty. He noted that the research is elaborated in frames of the joint project of PIR Center and MGIMO University Global Security, Strategic Stability, and Arms Control under the auspices of the Priority-2030 Strategic Academic Leadership Program. Dr. Orlov highlighted the strategic importance of the African and Persian Gulf regions for Russia, especially in the context of cutting-edge technologies and international security, noting that these regions have been key areas for PIR Center’s research into Russia’s long-term cooperation strategy.

Dr. Leonid V. Tsukanov presented research findings on digital development in the regions, underscoring key aspects of cooperation, including digital security, the application of digital technologies in the economic sphere and public administration, as well as the development of AI and national software. He noted that despite cultural and economic differences, the Persian Gulf and Sub-Saharan Africa are facing similar challenges in digitalization, which provides favorable conditions for Russia’s cooperation with the regional actors in these areas.

Dr. Vadim B. Kozyulin, Head of the Center for Global Studies & International Organizations of the Institute for Contemporary International Studies of the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and member of PIR Center Executive Board, provided an expert commentary. He emphasized Russia’s unique experience in cybersecurity, positioning it as a reliable partner for countries striving to strengthen their digital sovereignty. Dr. Kozyulin also underscored that such forums as the Russia-Africa Summit could serve as significant dialogue platform for the promotion of Russian technologies around the continent.

Furthermore, Sergey Sebekin, member of the International Research Group on the Misuse of Artificial Intelligence and Assistant Professor at Irkutsk State University, discussed the promising application of artificial intelligence in medicine and education for Africa and the Persian Gulf states, suggesting that Russia could achieve a competitive advantage by developing AI products that consider ethno-cultural specifics of the targeted regions.

In turn, Andrey Yarnykh, a board member of the Regional Community Center for Internet Technology, pointed out the importance of information security and use of AI in cooperation with Africa, stressing Russia’s commitment to avoiding “a new form of colonial dependence.” He emphasized the importance of providing African nations with access to technology and involving them in joint projects, as well as fostering cross-border cooperation in information security that considers the regions’ geopolitical specifics.

At the end of the seminar, an intense discussion took place. During the discussion, participants debated the need to adapt Russian technologies to regional specifics and explored the potential for collaboration in order to counter challenges posed by sanctions pressure.

The recording of the seminar (in Russian) is available here!

Key words: Digital Technology; Middle East; Africa

GULF, AFR

F4/SOR – 24/11/15