Based on a joint study by “Gazprom Neft”, “Gazprombank” and “Severtstal” titled “Megatrends 2026” [1] and author’s own studies, several features of the future digital development of the world are considered. Nine megatrends forming a new digital reality are being analyzed: new types of communication, the broad implementation of artificial intelligence into business processes, the expansion of the autonomy of robotics and unmanned aircraft systems, strengthening the capacity of quantum technologies, the development of new data protection measures, the appearance of new computing methods and types of microelectronics, the expansion of the capacity of biotechnologies, the merging of the digital and physical worlds, and the diversification of energy sources. The systemic effect of the convergence of these trends, as well as their impact on the oil and gas industry, the financial sector, and the manufacturing industry, have been identified. A conclusion is made about the transition from digitalization as an optimization tool to digital transformation as a new operational reality where technologies become new active agents of change.
The article presents a review of the results of a large-scale randomized experimental trial (N = 1,222), which for the first time provided causal evidence that short-term (10–15 minutes) use of AI assistants leads to a decrease in independent productivity and perseverance in solving cognitive tasks [32]. The neurophysiological mechanisms of this effect are analyzed, including the phenomenon of “cognitive floading” (when the regular use of neural networks accustoms the brain to delegate information storage, routine calculations, wording, generalization, inferences and structuring of data, and a decrease in neuroplasticity). Based on the data of Russian studies and expert assessments, the specifics of the perception and consequences of the introduction of AI in Russia are considered