Purpose. The relevance of this study is driven by the high interest in innovative financial tools among the economic and business communities, as well as public and private sector leaders, and the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence in dozens of countries worldwide to solve a diverse range of problems. Objective: To study the impact of artificial intelligence on the development of the Russian financial sector by analyzing the opportunities it can offer not only to representatives of financial institutions, innovation managers, and risk managers. Methods: A combination of theoretical methods was used, including statistical analysis, formalization, abstraction, and retrospective analysis. Results: The study describes not only competitive advantages but also potential barriers to the successful automation of business processes in investment asset management, lending, insurance, and risk management. A classification of innovative tools for studying structured and unstructured data is provided, including modern anti-fraud solutions, customer scoring tools, business process automation tools, and personalization of financial services and solutions. Conclusions: A thoughtful, phased, strategic implementation of artificial intelligence tools in the Russian financial sector is essential for the development of innovative products and solutions. Intelligent analytics and financial monitoring tools must comply with legal, regulatory, economic, and ethical standards. Ensuring the secure storage of user personal data and the effective response to increasingly frequent cyberattacks are recognized as one of the challenges of implementing artificial intelligence tools.

Relevance. The introduction of the digital ruble for business in Russia faces regulatory and infrastructural barriers. The transition to using digital currency requires time and resources, process restructuring, and the government is deliberately stretching the transition for several years to give banks and businesses time to adapt.

Aim. To develop specific measures and a step-by-step plan for their implementation during the transition to the digital ruble for businesses, ensuring a high level of security and data protection. The main objectives of the study are to substantiate and classify the main problems of implementing the digital ruble; to study foreign experience; to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of the plan / roadmap.

Materials and methods. Comparative legal analysis, system analysis and elements of the project approach. The empirical base consists of materials from advisory reports of the Bank of Russia, analytical reviews of international payment systems, and data from pilot projects on the introduction of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

Results. The study systematized the main barriers to business, which were divided into two groups: legal and infrastructural. Studying the experience of other countries has shown that there are uniform technical standards, which requires adaptation to national specifics. The main practical result is a set of priority measures, including proposals for combining civil and banking legislation, the introduction of common API specifications and protocols for cross-platform interaction. A three-stage roadmap with performance indicators has been developed.

Conclusions. The introduction of the digital ruble for business should be focused on strategy and the implementation of a set of measures to reduce the risk of uncertainty and the ability to adjust the business plan, with the transition to a payment system using the digital ruble.

The end of the political transition in Afghanistan in August 2021 altered radically the spheres of activities of International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), compelling them to make an urgent change in priorities, making the development-focused programming change to emergency humanitarian response. This paper explores the combined effect of INGOs on the health and education sector in Afghanistan during the 2020-2025 timeframe, specifically how innovation and Information Systems (IS) have helped the service delivery to be sustained in the face of extreme institutional and political constraints. The paper uses a mixed-methodology approach to review secondary data concerning key health and education indicators, as well as a thematic analysis of the operational strategies of INGOs. The quantitative data show that the female secondary school enrollment (38.5 percent in 2020 and estimated 1.5 percent in 2025) fell precipitously, and the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) increased, indicating the humanitarian crisis. On the other hand, the INGO health coverage became even more important with a manifestation of their urgency as the main service provider. Qualitative analysis revealed that the introduction of sustainable, localized information systems, particularly remote monitoring and resource tracking, was the key institutional innovation that enabled the INGO to achieve approximately 82 % resource allocation efficiency after the transition, compared to 65 % before the transition. The paper concludes that INGOs have played an essential role in ensuring that there is no complete breakdown of vital services, but their overall effect in the long term is limited due to the absence of a consistent institutional structure and policy limitations. Policy recommendations focus on the necessity to have long-term, adaptable funding, and investment in digital resilience and a localized approach to service provision to maneuver the humanitarian-development nexus in fragile contexts.

This article aims to analyze the characteristics, challenges, and prospects of investment cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China in the context of geopolitical instability and sanctions pressure. The study aims to identify structural imbalances and key barriers, as well as to develop specific measures to strengthen investment ties.

Methodology. The methodological basis of the study is based on theoretical analysis of scientific concepts of international investment cooperation, as well as a comparative and structural analysis of statistical data on the dynamics and sectoral structure of mutual investments.

Results. The analysis revealed significant asymmetries and structural problems in cooperation. Over 70 % of Chinese investment in Russia is concentrated in the raw materials sector (fuel and energy complex), while the volume of Russian investment in the Chinese economy remains minimal. A key barrier is the blocking of a significant portion of transactions by Chinese banks (up to 60 %) due to the risk of secondary sanctions, despite the transfer of 90 % of mutual settlements to national currencies. A roadmap for strengthening investment ties between Russia and China has been proposed.

Conclusions. The authors conclude that there is significant untapped potential for investment partnerships. Unleashing this potential requires systemic measures: diversifying Chinese investments into non-resource sectors (agricultural, high-tech, infrastructure), increasing Russian investment in China, developing alternative settlement mechanisms (integrating the SPFS and CIPS, digital currencies), and strengthening the institutional framework through the creation of joint funds and councils. Implementation of the proposed roadmap will ensure sustainable and balanced investment cooperation.

Relevance. The urgency of transport modernization is driven by the pressing need to overcome the growing critical contradictions of modern civilization. This includes the risk of sudden climate change, the need to expand transport coverage for a growing population, the development of new, increasingly remote deposits, and the expansion of cargo and waste logistics areas. This also includes the need to improve the quality of life and public health, deliver fresh and clean water, and achieve comprehensive energy conservation and environmental protection.

Aim. To propose a modern engineering plan for modernizing existing freight and passenger infrastructure by incorporating a multimodal continental elevated high-speed transport system with specific, technically feasible new handling and transport solutions.

Results. An analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of existing transport systems, their capabilities, and limitations is provided for a wide range of continental climate and landscape conditions. Schemes for organizing new solutions and their economic advantages are presented.

Conclusions. Methods for modernizing transport using proprietary solutions are proposed for organizing a multimodal, highly environmentally friendly transport system, working under the title “Waltz”, for port, transcontinental pipeline, and transcontinental freight and passenger transportation across metropolitan areas and countries. The implementation of these new solutions is highly effective for developing territories across any landscape in Eurasia and other continents, and will also reduce the risk of man-made disasters in transport.