MOSCOW, RUSSIA / RankWire.AI / – Russia’s Federation Council approved a legislative framework on July 17 that establishes national standards for the development and deployment of large artificial intelligence foundation models. The legislation defines legal parameters, delegates regulatory authority, and provides support for qualified domestic developers. It also mandates controls over models, data storage protocols, user notifications, and AI-generated content. Having passed the State Duma on July 8, the bill now awaits presidential assent before becoming law.
According to the bill, a large foundation model is software capable of performing numerous intellectual tasks at a level comparable to human performance. The definition applies to systems that deliver information, make decisions, or predict outcomes based on human-set objectives. To qualify, a model must have at least 1 billion parameters. The framework further emphasizes principles related to technological sovereignty, human rights, individual choice, security, and compliance with Russian legislation.
The legislation distinguishes between sovereign and national model categories. A sovereign model must be developed by a Russian legal entity and stay under domestic control, utilizing data centers within Russia. Developers are required to maintain the technical capacity to reproduce the entire development process, including training and original parameters. A national model adheres to similar ownership and data handling rules but may incorporate foreign components under open licenses.
Domestic models receive official recognition
The government might implement support measures for companies involved in creating, deploying, or managing qualifying foundation models. Such measures could include access to state-held data essential for training. The law also authorizes authorities to establish zones where only sovereign or national models are permitted to operate, particularly within government information systems and other sensitive sectors. Additional laws and presidential decrees may specify regulations for defense, security, public order, and property protection.
Operators of websites, apps, and social media platforms will face a new content regulation. Platforms with over 500,000 daily users must equip their services with a tool for labeling AI-generated audio or visual content. This provides users a way to add an informational notice to qualifying material. Developers and platform owners will define the label format through service agreements. While automatic labeling of all content is not mandatory, platforms must offer a technical option to do so.
Intellectual property and implementation guidelines solidify
AI providers are required to inform users about rights ownership over generated content. They must also clarify the terms of access and whether users can transfer the content. The bill separately addresses copyrighted works used in machine learning, considering such analysis lawful when developers have legally obtained access. Training with protected works is permissible when no technical restrictions were bypassed to access the material.
Most provisions are set to take effect on September 1, 2026, pending presidential approval and publication. Rules concerning domestic model status, developer responsibilities, content labeling, and intellectual property will commence on March 1, 2027. Existing systems will have a transition period until September 1, 2032, during which their data processing and storage must remain within Russia. Until the measure receives official approval and publication, it remains an approved bill rather than an enacted law.