Stories from Russia

Artificial intelligence may soon be capable of administering oral examinations to students and schoolchildren. Maxim Reshkin, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, stated that AI can objectively conduct oral surveys. The technology can monitor where a person looks, their behavior, and their nervousness levels. This capability relies on the system's ability to process metadata regarding user communication and movement. There are concerns that such applications may face blocking once they become popular due to data collection issues. History teacher Leonid Katsva expressed hope that artificial intelligence will eventually be capable of conducting oral examinations. The discussion noted that while AI can currently process dialects, the application of AI to complex social and historical oral testing remains a future development.

A 34-year-old Russian fighter is scheduled to face opponent Jon Harris on August 16. The announcement follows previous statements from Makhachev regarding plans to hold fights during the summer. The news was reported by sports correspondent Alexey Krylov.

Russian broadcasters are marking the anniversary of the 1956 Khrushchev report regarding the cult of personality and its consequences. Discussions include the historical impact of the report on Soviet political structures. The broadcast also mentions public interest in historical figures in Vladivostok. An exhibition dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Russian parliamentarism was viewed. Radio Rossii is marking the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster. The station also noted the anniversary of the liberation of the Kursk region. The broadcast acknowledged windy and snowy weather conditions in Moscow. Radio Mayak reported on the Yakuts, also known as the Sakha people, and the upcoming anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Sakha in 2020. The broadcast also highlighted their unique bone-carving art.

Sberbank is reportedly preparing to offer loans secured by cryptocurrency assets. Russia's State Duma has learned of preparations by Sberbank to issue loans secured by cryptocurrency. Reuters reports that Sberbank is preparing to offer loans backed by cryptocurrency. Additionally, reports suggest that real estate purchases in the United States may now be partially payable using cryptocurrency.

Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations aviation has been deployed to weaken ice fields on the Nizhne-Tongus river. The spring thaw threatens to flood 95 settlements in the Irkutsk region. Local residents have been advised on emergency procedures as the situation develops. Emergency services are actively working to mitigate potential flooding risks.

The Russian government is promoting internal domestic platforms, including a state-run super app, to monitor data for intelligence and repressive agencies. This move aims to restrict citizen access to uncontrolled foreign information sources. Experts suggest this follows models used in Iran to implement large-scale information flow restrictions. The strategy shifts from passive censorship to active user tracking and monitoring. The implementation follows similar models previously used in countries like Iran.

Maxim Oreshkin, an official within the Presidential Administration, stated that AI technology could eventually eliminate the need for formal examinations. The proposed system would use AI to monitor student gaze, behavior, and nervousness levels. A digital profile for each student would be stored on a specialized platform to assess knowledge levels. This development aims to move away from traditional testing methods. Artificial intelligence technology was implemented in several schools in the Moscow region during March. Metrics indicate the AI frequently makes errors and is currently unsuitable for precise knowledge control. There is a growing trend of students using AI to complete exams and write controlled assignments. The technology is described as being far from ideal for providing accurate answers.

Epidemiologist Gennady Nishenko reports that cardiovascular, oncological, and endocrine diseases, alongside influenza, will be the primary causes of death over the next five years. The report follows a 5-10% decline in certain sectors following US strikes on Iran. Increased armament costs have led to production delays among contractors. There is ongoing uncertainty regarding the military budget.

Train schedules in Sevastopol have changed following damage to the contact network. Restoration work is currently underway on the contact network. Attacks in Sevastopol have been occurring from morning until evening, contributing to the ongoing infrastructure issues. Five individuals reported damage to their vehicles during the attack. The strike caused damage to a high-pressure pipeline according to Governor Filimonov. Ukrainian air strikes targeted the port city of Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea. The Crimean Governor reported that air defenses destroyed 71 aerial targets during the engagement. The city serves as the home for Moscow's Black Sea Fleet. Russian air strikes killed four people in the Sumy and Dnipro regions. The Mayor of Dnipro described the strike as the largest the region has suffered. The attacks follow ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine.

Russian authorities are proposing new restrictions to ban vaping in cars with children, on playgrounds, and near schools. The initiative aims to prevent passive smoking among youth and includes lifetime restrictions for violators. Industry leader Maxim Korolev of Russian Tobacco expressed that businesses will resist these new regulations. The move is part of a broader effort to regulate nicotine use in public environments.