At a showcase hosted by Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank, President Vladimir Putin witnessed a humanoid robot identified as “Green” introduce itself as the country’s first AI-embedded robot and promptly break into a choreographed dance, marking a striking moment of technology on display.
The robot told Putin: “My name is Green. I am the first Russian humanoid robot with embedded artificial intelligence. This means I am not just a programme on a screen, but a physical embodiment of technology.” It then selected its favourite track and danced while state-television footage captured the room, including bodyguards deliberately positioning themselves between the robot and Putin.
Sberbank said the robot’s software would receive ongoing upgrades and the machine could be folded into parts of its banking operations, suggesting a plan to commercialise humanoid robotics in sectors beyond industrial uses. Philippine reports noted the performance occurred only days after another Russian robot, “Aidol”, tumbled onstage during its debut, underscoring the gap between ambition and engineering maturity.
The event symbolises Russia’s intent to position itself in the global AI and robotics race, using public demonstrations to signal technological capability despite broader economic and innovation challenges. For investors and observers of the tech sector it highlights the breadth of AI applications beyond software and into robotic embodiment – though the earlier fall of Aidol serves as a reminder that hardware and integration risks remain high.
Yet beneath the spectacle lies a question of sustainability: Whether such robotics initiatives can advance from stage performances to scalable deployments in banking, manufacturing or services, and whether their economics will attract capital, talent and infrastructure in a country facing sanctions and talent outflows.
