According to a recent survey by the National Financial Research Agency (NAFI), 82% of Russians believe it’s essential for AI assistants to grasp Russia’s cultural nuances-including its values, language, and idiomatic expressions. The April 2026 poll surveyed 1,666 participants aged 18 to 55, highlighting strong demand for AI that can think and communicate with a distinctly Russian sensibility.
- 82% of Russians want AI assistants to understand Russian cultural codes
- 87% of respondents have already used AI-powered services
- Yandex’s Alisa AI leads in recognition (88%) and human-like interaction (68%)
Cultural context drives AI preference in Russia
NAFI’s analysis reveals that 71% of users find it important for AI to understand local humor, common idioms, and historical references. This expectation extends to AI-generated images, videos, and music that incorporate elements of Russian culture-a factor that influences how people choose between different AI services.
Respondents rated Yandex’s Alisa AI as the best at understanding Russian cultural context, with 71% naming it. DeepSeek and GigaChat tied at 37%, while ChatGPT scored lower at 34%.
Familiarity and human-like AI conversations
Locally developed AI assistants dominate awareness among Russian users. Alisa AI is recognized by 88% of respondents, ChatGPT by 70%, and GigaChat by 57%. Other AI platforms like Shedevrum, DeepSeek, and Gemini are familiar to roughly one-third of users.
When it comes to how human-like the AI conversation feels, Alisa AI leads with 68% of users saying its dialogue feels closest to talking with a person. ChatGPT reached 47%, DeepSeek 46%, and GigaChat 36%.
AI personality influences user choice
A majority of 63% believe AI assistants have unique personalities and communication styles. This perception is stronger among younger users aged 18-24 at 77%, compared to 51% among those aged 43-55.
AI personality preferences break down as follows:
- 34% prefer a friendly and supportive tone
- 30% like a calm and thoughtful style
- 23% choose energetic and playful AI personalities
Additionally, 66% of users operating multiple AI platforms say they choose which assistant to use based on its character, tailoring their choice to the task at hand.
Most common AI uses in Russia
The top ways Russians use AI include:
- 47% for gathering new information and studying
- 41% for managing everyday tasks
- 36% for entertainment and leisure
- 35% for creativity and hobbies
- 35% for shopping assistance
- 33% for professional work-related tasks
An overwhelming 86% say it’s important their AI assistant understands them well, even when they speak in hints or indirect ways.
In Russia’s AI scene, locally developed assistants like Yandex’s Alisa dominate recognition and cultural appreciation, highlighting how regional identity shapes technology preferences. Compared to global players like ChatGPT, these homegrown AIs have a cultural edge that resonates strongly with users.
As AI adoption grows worldwide, incorporating local cultural context becomes a significant competitive advantage. How Western AI providers will address this rising demand for culturally aware assistants, especially in large, unique markets like Russia, remains a key question. Meanwhile, Russian developers seem poised to leverage their cultural insight to secure user loyalty long-term.