Sergey Tokarev: Key Solutions to Develop the Ukrainian AI Market
The Ukrainian AI market needs particular strategies and approaches to develop it. Such a development involves a few steps: focusing on tech education, fostering collaboration among various market players, and avoiding strict regulations within the industry. Sergey Tokarev, a tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Roosh, shared the challenges of AI expansion and insights on its development.
Ukrainian AI Market Today
Sergey Tokarev notices that Roosh, together with the AI HOUSE community and the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, has studied the Ukrainian AI ecosystem. They note that Ukraine takes second place in the list of AI companies among Central and Eastern European countries. In 2023, the funding for AI startups increased by 35% compared to 2022.
“The world is noticing our progress. For instance, Zibra AI, a Roosh X’s deep-tech portfolio company that simplifies the process of creating computer games using AI. Their technology is used by over 116,000 developers worldwide. And in 2023, Zibra AI secured half a million in investment from the Speedrun accelerator launched by a16z,” Tokarev stated.
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Main Challenges of the Ukrainian AI Industry
The entrepreneur added that the full-scale invasion of Russia has sufficiently affected the Ukrainian tech segment. Since the beginning of the war, tech companies have experienced an outflow of personnel and settled them down in other countries.
Another challenge involves massive declines in venture capital investments in AI-related projects. Because of the risks associated with the war, international investors refrain from contributing to Ukrainian companies.
Sergey Tokarev also underlines the urgency of addressing these issues. The country’s victory in the war and its future economic development depend on technological advancement.
Solutions to Improve the AI Industry in Ukraine
Considering the above-mentioned issues the Ukrainian tech sector is facing today, Sergey Tokarev shares the key points on how to make it grow and prosper. First and foremost, it is essential to provide high-quality education for students in AI programs and make it accessible. Future experts should master both technical and soft skills.
Additionally, the businessman believes that those specialists who are good at communicating, organizing workflow, and having sufficient practical experience will be able to compete effectively in the modern labor market. He adds that some Ukrainian universities are already collaborating with technology companies that want to train specialists for the industry.
On the other hand, it is crucial to organize various events and platforms where academic institutions, businesses, and the state can join their forces. Such a partnership is the key to the country’s technological development.
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Tokarev also mentions another step to foster the growth of the Ukrainian AI sector. It lies in the liberal regulation of the industry. He adds that the state is already working in this direction. The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine has developed a roadmap for regulating Artificial Intelligence. According to this roadmap, the current priority is cooperation between the state and AI companies.
