printMeasurement of AI Literacy of Russian Adults:
Methods and Results
Davydov S.G.
Cand. Sci. (Philos.), Аssoc. Prof., Senior Lecturer, International Laboratory for Social Integration Research, HSE University, Moscow, Russia sdavydov@hse.ru
Fedorov V.V.
Cand. Sci. (Polit.), Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Mass Communications, Financial University, Moscow, Russia; General Director, WCIOM Analytical Center, Moscow, Russia VVFedorov@fa.ru
Davydov S.G., Fedorov V.V. Measurement of AI Literacy of Russian Adults: Methods and Results. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. 2026. No 5. P. 141-147
The article is based the results of a measurement of AI literacy among the adult population of Russia. The study addresses the lack of empirical data on the actual level of proficiency in artificial intelligence among citizens. The methodology is based on self-assessment of proficiency in five types of AI tools on a 5‑point scale and subsequent indexing. Data were collected using a telephone survey (CATI) based on a nationwide sample of the WCIOM-Sputnik project (N = 1,600). The annual reach of Russian users of AI technologies is determined. Hypotheses regarding the active penetration of AI “from below” and the uneven distribution of AI competencies across various socio-demographic groups are confirmed. The results of population segmentation based on AI literacy level are presented.
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