« Nornickel » is introducing AI agents within its economic division to reduce the workload of control procedures, streamline procurement document approvals, and create intelligent risk-identification tools. The project is implemented jointly with the technology company Reksoft.

Currently, Nornickel employees manually run checks against more than 100 parameters using data from contracts, purchase orders, maintenance orders, memos, protocols, and management resolutions. Each check requires significant labor and follows strict corporate regulations. Furthermore, it is challenging for employees to identify complex hidden risks within their areas of control.

Reksoft deployed a strategic and transformational consulting team alongside an infrastructure and data division to Nornickel. The AI-agent-based solution developed with Reksoft covers six key scenarios: automated data recognition and extraction from documents, analytical support for specialists, cross-checking information from various sources, identifying anomalies, and flagging potentially risky actions — such as amending approved orders or shifting delivery dates. AI agents provide flexible management of check rules and algorithms. In specific scenarios, the AI agent can autonomously approve purchase orders.

Natalya Artamonova, Director of Generative AI Implementation, Nornickel: « We take a comprehensive approach to developing AI agents, rebuilding our business processes from the ground up to fit the new AI logic. We only select cases with clear economic impact — such as digital controls that reduce human error in budgeting and investment management, boost transparency, and directly improve net working capital. Implementation speed and continuous business feedback are critical: we started testing the first pilots just two months into development and are now rapidly expanding functionality based on real-world application. »

Kirill Matyushin, Vice President for Economics, Nornickel: « Implementing AI agents will fundamentally transform the traditional functions of the economics and finance block. It will free employees from routine tasks, allowing them to focus on complex analytical and managerial challenges. Amid a skilled labor shortage, AI adoption enhances Nornickel's attractiveness as an employer and increases job satisfaction for our current team. »

Igor Samochernov, Managing Director, Reksoft Consulting: « Together with the Nornickel team, we are transforming control procedures. We are transitioning from manual checks to intelligent agents capable not only of gathering data from unstructured sources and conducting checks, but also of executing complex analytical scenarios and finding potential efficiency gains. This qualitatively shifts the control function from reactive to proactive. We see massive potential in this technology for boosting productivity and optimizing business processes. However, the key success factor is the engagement of management and staff. I would estimate that 30% of our effort is technology, and 70% — is people and change management. »

The first wave of control procedure automation is currently nearing completion. Plans include expanding AI agents to adjacent control areas and other routine operations. Full-scale implementation is expected to cut labor costs by tens of percent.

Yulia Kozlova, Head of Budget Control Department, Nornickel: « The AI agent can already automatically verify up to 80% of contract analytics with 95–98% accuracy, essentially switching budget execution control to an uninterrupted mode. Dozens of employees from the economic and investment departments participated in testing, and ultimately, over 10 000 employees will use the agents' output. It is especially important that the rollout is closely aligned with the business, allowing us to quickly refine functionality and scale solutions to real processes. »

Reksoft is also responsible for the project's infrastructure. This involves deploying a hybrid solution that combines Yandex.Cloud capabilities with on-premise IT infrastructure boasting a total performance of 96 000 TFLOPS. Reksoft provides the full cycle of work — from hardware design, supply, and setup, to deploying platform services and integrating them with internal corporate systems. Working with Yandex cloud infrastructure and Yandex AI Studio services, the deployed setup supports complex agent scenarios while meeting all information security requirements.

A key feature of the deployed architecture is its vendor-agnostic nature. The solution allows the customer to use both Yandex cloud services and models, as well as any open-source LLMs, adapting them to specific business needs. This approach creates a technological foundation for the rapid scaling of AI agents. Nornickel gains the flexibility to choose between cloud processing and on-premise deployment depending on data sensitivity and specific production process requirements. The technical architecture will ensure the secure integration of AI agents with the company's IT systems.

Dmitry Reznikov, Business Development Director, Reksoft: « For Reksoft, this project is an opportunity to validate the real-world impact of AI agents and establish an approach for scaling them across other functions and business units. We focus on achieving measurable business outcomes through process transformation. This approach combines partner platform capabilities, including Yandex, with Reksoft's proprietary developments and business transformation expertise. »

Nornickel introduces AI agents into budget and project control processes in partnership with Reksoft