MAKHACHKALA, May 19 – RIA Dagestan. Sber has completed the first stage of a large-scale series of Digital Transformation Accelerators for businesses in Southern Russia. Events focused on integrating generative artificial intelligence into business processes were held in Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar, Stavropol and on the federal territory "Sirius" in Sochi. Representatives of 150 large and medium-sized enterprises across southern regions participated in the practical sessions, totaling more than 250 attendees.
"For the second consecutive year, we have been organizing a series of digital accelerators for the southern business community. For Sber, this project represents a significant step toward bringing together clients, technology experts, and partners to jointly address current IT challenges and implement advanced digital solutions. We have accumulated extensive industry expertise, maintained our own IT team, and collaborated with partners who actively deploy digital solutions across various sectors to support business transformation. Our current priority is to enhance the speed and efficiency of workflows through generative AI solutions, thereby freeing up time for strategic tasks.
Last year, the accelerator focused on trends; this year, we have provided businesses with practical tools. The corporate platform for creating and managing AI agents, GigaChat Business, along with Sber2B AI solutions and Salut B2B assistants, are tools that can significantly boost the efficiency of any company today. We observe a shift in entrepreneurs' demands: they no longer seek mere automation, but generative AI capable of handling routine tasks in HR, legal affairs, and logistics. The accelerator demonstrated that businesses in the South are technologically mature and ready to adopt complex digital products. We look forward to seeing the most promising cases and teams at the finals" - Victoria Garkina, Director of AI Transformation and Technological Development for Sber's South-Western Bank Client Division stated.
This year, the event's concept shifted from theoretical discussions to hands-on practice: participants did not merely attend lectures on technology but tested the latest AI-powered solutions through business simulations.
The key tool for practical work during the accelerator was the corporate platform for creating and managing AI agents, GigaChat Business. Teams of entrepreneurs and senior executives learned to develop fully functional AI agents to address specific business challenges. Particular interest was shown in practical exercises focused on "repairing malfunctioning agents" and configuring knowledge bases. The most sought-after application areas included developing AI legal assistants, HR-focused agents, and solutions for intelligent document processing.
Following the selection stage, a pool of the most promising digital transformation projects from the South has been formed. Over the next three months, accelerator participants, together with Sber's partners, will implement digital solutions using various tools and transform their business processes. The accelerator's final event is scheduled for late summer to early autumn 2026. It will bring together clients from all regions served by the South-Western Bank division whose businesses have either successfully implemented or are actively in the process of adopting digital technologies.