Artificial intelligence is planned to be used in the fight against Sosnowski's hogweed in the Nizhny Novgorod region.

      Artificial intelligence will be used to reduce the growth of weedy, invasive, and dangerous plants in the Nizhny Novgorod region. An agreement on the implementation of digital solutions in this area was signed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Resources of the region and Sber at the conference "Digital Industry of Industrial Russia" ("CIPR") on May 18, 2026. This was reported by the press service of the governor and the regional government. The document was signed by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Resources of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Nikolai Denisov, and the manager of the Nizhny Novgorod branch of Sberbank, Natalia Demina. "One of the most problematic plants for the Nizhny Novgorod region is Sosnovsky's hogweed. Fighting it is a complex and multifaceted task that requires a comprehensive approach and interaction between various agencies. The use of various methods to combat this invasive plant is already yielding certain results, but to increase efficiency, it is important to have objective data. Cooperation with a new partner and the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies will allow us to systematize information about the spread of hogweed, track the dynamics of its spread, and build an even more productive combat strategy," noted Nikolai Denisov, Minister of Agriculture and Food Resources of the Nizhny Novgorod region. The regional Ministry of Agriculture clarified that the fight against Sosnovsky's hogweed is carried out on a regular basis in the region. The subordinate institution "Agrotechchemical Center" is working on agricultural lands. In 2025, work to eliminate Sosnovsky's hogweed was carried out on an area of 700 hectares in 19 municipalities of the region, funded by the regional budget. In 2026, it is planned to conduct work to eliminate Sosnovsky's hogweed on an area of 1.2 thousand hectares of agricultural land, also funded by the regional budget. Work has already begun, with over 118 hectares completed in the Pilnyinsky, Sosnovsky, Borsky, Pervomaysky, Sergachsky, and Gorodetsky districts in one week. "Artificial intelligence opens up enormous opportunities in various industries. Cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Nizhny Novgorod region is an important step towards the implementation of advanced digital solutions in the region's agro-industrial complex. The use of artificial intelligence technologies will not only increase the efficiency of agriculture but also improve the quality of life for people," said Natalia Demina, manager of the Nizhny Novgorod branch of Sberbank.