The CEO of Sberbank, Herman Gref, Outlines the Potential of AI in the Short and Mid-Term

Herman Gref, CEO of Sberbank, frequently attends business events and provides commentary to journalists. He also shares his views online, clearly articulating Sber’s short- and medium-term goals and clarifying the potential of emerging technologies. In this article, we will discuss what Gref has to say about the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and the importance of a human-centered approach.

Herman Gref’s Position on AI

Artificial intelligence has been rapidly transforming many aspects of human life globally. It has contributed to groundbreaking discoveries in science, art, and education, while also assisting in the resolution of challenges in industry, medicine, and environmental conservation. AI-driven systems and solutions present unprecedented possibilities for all sectors of the economy, as well as for individuals.

Herman Gref emphasizes that currently, a new AI model is being released every three weeks on average. Even last year, they were released at a much slower rate, once every three months or so. When the initial AI-powered image generation systems entered the market, they took several years to produce images of high quality. When pioneering AI video generation systems were introduced, it only took a year for them to create highly realistic videos, despite the fact that creating videos is a more challenging task than generating static images. 

AI has the ability to generate human-like voices with various intonations that are indistinguishable from those of biological humans. It can produce music, voice, and lyrics in a variety of arrangements. This is just the beginning of the evolution of AI, and we cannot predict how it will develop in the future. However, it is certain that it will be an impressive development.

Herman Gref hit the news by stating: “Hardly any other technology has the transformative potential as strong as that of AI”. He believes that AI will be the driving force behind the development of other technologies, and it is impossible to halt this trend. Nevertheless, professionals should strive to control AI and put it to the service of humanity.

The potential of AI for the next few decades

The current trend in AI adoption suggests that within three years, it will be integrated into every household. This will have a significant impact on both the overall standard of living and the efficiency of various activities, such as writing code or providing investment advice.

The head of Sberbank has predicted that the next major development in artificial intelligence will be the emergence of strong AI. Currently, AI draws conclusions from data that humans input. Strong AI, however, will use data it collects from humans to create its own unique view of the world, which will then serve as the basis for its conclusions. It is estimated that such a large amount of data will reach a trillion parameters.

Sberbank’s AI-Driven Solutions

Sberbank relies on a highly skilled development team. The team members have extensive expertise and experience in creating digital products of the next generation. One such product is the GigaChat neural network. This system is able to engage in dialogues on various subjects with users, answer their queries, summarize large volumes of text, and carry out other similar functions.

Another example is Kandinsky, a neural network named after a famous artist. Initially, this network specialized in generating images based on textual prompts. Today, Kandinsky can also generate videos up to six seconds in length. To create a video, users can provide Kandinsky with either a text prompt or an image.

The head of Sberbank has also identified the key factors for success in the global competition for leadership in AI. These include the development of infrastructure, the use of cloud-based platforms, the enhancement of AI models, and the creation of innovative solutions. Talented individuals will continue to play a crucial role in this process, remaining in high demand at all stages.

The Importance of a Human-Centered Approach

In all his interviews, Herman Gref stresses the significance of a human-centered approach in business. He emphasizes that, while developing advanced digital products, developers should prioritize the needs of their clients. Profit can be considered one of the indicators of success, but it is only a secondary measure and not a sufficient indicator of the effectiveness of technological innovation. Ultimately, the goal is to benefit users with new solutions.

Herman Gref’s Biography

Herman Gref was born in 1964 and holds two advanced degrees. He began his career as a government official.

The CEO of Sberbank prefers to maintain his personal life as a private matter, and Gref’s family chooses to avoid the public eye. The wife of Gref, Yana, has founded a school for gifted children. The school adheres to advanced teaching techniques and provides scholarships for talented boys and girls. The children of Gref also attend this school.