Bailiffs to Implement AI for Debtor Search
The Federal Bailiff Service (FSSP) of Russia plans to allocate 11.5 billion rubles by 2023 for the digital transformation of its operations, including the use of artificial intelligence to locate debtors and collect information about them, according to a report by Kommersant referencing the FSSP’s digital transformation program published on the FGIS KI (Federal State Information Control System) portal.
Key Initiatives in the Digital Transformation Program
- In 2022, the FSSP plans to launch a chatbot for interacting with the public.
- By 2023, the agency aims to speed up database updates using mobile automated workstations (AWP).
- Bailiffs will be able to quickly locate debtors and plan routes to them using the Federal Information Address System.
- In 2021, 365 million rubles will be spent on purchasing video cameras, tablets, and recorders for bailiff use.
- In 2022, 380.5 million rubles will be allocated for developing mobile AWPs.
The digitalization effort is expected to streamline processes and reduce staff workload. Up to 90% of court-imposed restrictions should be lifted within an hour after a debt is paid, and 80% of resolutions in 2023 are expected to be generated automatically. In-person appointments with citizens should take no more than ten minutes per person. The FSSP press office did not respond to requests for comment.
Expert Opinions on Automation and Risks
Pavel Adylin, Executive Director of Artezio, believes the automation plans are ambitious and could lead to significant changes in the agency’s operations. “If 80% of decisions are made automatically, this could result in staff reductions or a reassessment of employee responsibilities,” he notes. Technology can reduce the time needed for data processing and document preparation, as well as relieve staff from routine tasks, the expert adds.
Vitaly Lazhintsev, Executive Director of the Alliance+ agency, agrees that digitalization is necessary since bailiffs have long been overloaded. “It’s often impossible to reach them by phone, and scheduling an appointment is difficult. Essentially, going digital will make the system work faster and reduce the impact of the human factor,” he says.
Julianna Kadria, Lead Consultant for Business Application Implementation at KROK, considers the allocation of funds within the digital transformation program to be appropriate. Most of the spending is focused on the agency’s IT infrastructure and ensuring the security of citizens’ personal data, she emphasizes.
Concerns About AI in Decision-Making
However, experts also point out the risks of digital transformation. “Using artificial intelligence to prepare resolutions is a very dangerous idea,” says Nikolay Knyazev, architect at Softline Digital. While some decisions are standard and unambiguous—such as fines from traffic cameras—others, especially in family matters, are more complex and may not be suitable for automation.