Neural networks have already become a common tool for the majority of Russians, but not everyone is willing to pay for them. According to a study by MTS AdTech and the AI Alliance, 70% of respondents use free AI services, while 30% have experience paying for such solutions. The study was conducted in September 2026 among 2500 Russians over 18 years old living in Russia.

At the same time, Russians do not necessarily choose only domestic or only foreign neural networks. 30% of participants use free Russian and foreign solutions simultaneously. Another 23% use only free domestic services, and 17% use only foreign ones. Among those who have already paid for AI, 13% subscribe on a regular basis, and 17% have paid at least once for a specific task.

56% of respondents use neural networks regularly. The remaining 44% tried such services several times out of curiosity. The difference between age groups is particularly noticeable. Among people aged 18 to 25, the proportion of regular users reaches 79%, among 26–34-year-olds – 62%. In the age group 35–44, the figure is 49%, and among Russians aged 45–55 – 42%.

By region, the Central Federal District leads, where 62% of study participants regularly use neural networks. In the Far Eastern District, the figure is 57%, in the Ural District – 56%, in the Siberian District – 54%, and in the North-Western District – 53%.

The most popular way to work with AI is text chatbots. They are chosen by 54% of respondents. Visual neural networks for creating images and videos are used by 20%, AI assistants for performing tasks – 14%, audio solutions – 8%, analytical tools – 4%.

The main task for neural networks also remains quite simple: information search and answering questions. It is used by 67% of respondents. Another 40% use AI for writing texts, 39% for creating images, design, and video, 20% for communicating with AI in a dialogue format, and 19% for translations and language learning.

The attitude towards technology has also changed over the past year. 52% of Russians say they have become more positive about AI. In the Ural Federal District, 61% of participants answered this way, in the Volga Federal District – 55%, in the Central Federal District – 54%, in the North-Western Federal District – 52%. Only 2% of respondents negatively assessed the change in their attitude towards AI.

The AI Alliance believes that free solutions have become the main entry point into the technology for the mass user. MTS AdTech attributes the change in attitude towards AI to its spread in everyday and work scenarios.