The authors aim to scientifically substantiate the potential of artificial intelligence (hereinafter referred to as AI) technologies to increase the effectiveness of ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance) management as well as to propose recommendations for the most complete realisation of this potential in management practices of Russian business structures. To this end, the authors have summarised the best international practices of the top 50 digital economies with the highest prevalence of the ESG management in business environment in 2024. As a result, monitoring of the sustainability of Russian business development in the context of digital transformation of the domestic economy has been conducted, which revealed the outstanding effectiveness of the ESG management in Russian business environment, active use of the AI, and presence of significant potential for its further dissemination in the domestic business environment. An econometric model of the influence of AI application factors on the effectiveness of the ESG management is compiled using the regression analysis method. Based on the model, the authors’ conclusion has been made that the application factors of this technology have a contradictory effect on the ESG management, and in order to optimise this effect in the interests of sustainable business development in the context of digital transformation of the market environment of the economy, it is necessary to increase productivity of applied AI algorithms, scale of national financing for the development of the technology, and initiative of businesses in the field of the AI implementation. The empirical value of the authors’ proposals lies in the fact that they have highlighted the prospect of increasing the effectiveness of the ESG management in Russia through improving the efficiency of the AI application.

   The article is devoted to the assessment of various mechanisms and instruments of state financial stimulation of environmental agenda implementation both in foreign countries and in the Russian Federation. The paper provides a comparative analysis of international practices and domestic experience in applying financial incentives to support environmental initiatives. Special attention is paid to such instruments as grants, subsidies, tax incentives, green bonds, and other forms of state support. On the basis of the analysis, strengths and weaknesses of the applied methods are identified, and potential areas for their improvement are outlined. Proposals for adapting the best international practices to Russian conditions have been developed, which will make it possible to increase the efficiency of state financial incentives for environmental activities. In addition, recommendations are presented on the introduction of innovative financial instruments to accelerate the transition to a more environmentally sustainable economy. The results of the study may be useful for government agencies responsible for the development and implementation of environmental policy as well as for businesses interested in participating in environmental projects. The conclusion emphasises the importance of integrating best global practices into the Russian ecofinancing system to achieve sustainable development goals and reduce negative environmental impacts.

   The fundamental changes of the current time have accelerated the evolution of development, and the world has entered a new period of upheaval and change. When forecasting the development of the global energy market, we should consider important transformations in trends in economic globalisation, international structure, global governance, political polarisation, reconstruction of production chains, and in the economies of the United States of America, European Union, Russian Federation, Asia-Pacific region, and Middle East countries. In the current era, energy is an important pillar of the global economic development. The integration of artificial intelligence in all directions, digital transformations of industries, geopolitical conflicts, and global climate changes can be attributed to the factors influencing the trends and prospects for the development of the global energy market.

   The purposes of the study are to identify and substantiate the main trends and prospects for the development of the global energy market in 2025.

   The research topic on these trends and prospects is extremely relevant in the context of the global economic crisis, political transformations, and environmental problems caused by global climate changes. The study analyses current trends in the development of the global energy market, which have allowed us to argue the relevance of the topic, considering the consequences of the geopolitical conflict in 2022 that has caused global changes in the energy sector due to restrictions on global energy supplies.

   This article is a comprehensive study of international investment cooperation and concept of the effectiveness of innovation in free economic zones (hereinafter referred to as FEZ) and their role in the modern world. The FEZ represent new centres of competence in various socio-economic and industrial spheres, contributing to the development of the international investment coope ration. In modern market conditions, they can become a catalyst for structural transformation, stimulation of innovation, attraction of capital investment, and technology exchange. Thus, in the context of global economic transformation and increased competition for technological leadership, the FEZ are becoming a key tool for stimulating innovation and attracting investment. Financial activity, being a key area of the economy, not only ensures the stability and sustainability of business entities, but also acts as a driver of innovations that are critically important for increasing competitiveness, optimising resource management, and adapting to global challenges, such as digitalisation and sanctions pressure. The analysis of legal models of the FEZ in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States demonstrates their multidirectionality. In the Russian Federation, for example, the emphasis is on industrial production zones, where benefits are linked to the localisation of production. In contrast, China is dominated by innovation and technology clusters, offering research and design grants and simplified staff migration.

   The use of digital methods and digital technologies (hereinafter referred to as DT) is a characteristic feature of the development of modern society. There are different DT: digital business, digital railway, digital management, digital photography, digital modelling, digital mapping, etc. Thus, we need to generalise and systematise them. This is partly motivated by the incorrect designation of some digital processes and technologies. First of all, it is necessary to analyse the concepts of digitalisation, digitalisation, and digital transformation. In many publications in the Russian Federation and abroad, they are considered as synonymous, close concepts. However, there is a qualitative difference between them. The DT are the general category for the listed concepts. They are the core of modern digital management. This study shows that in essence, the digitisation, digitalisation, and digital transformation are the basis of digital business and digital management. However, the concepts of digitisation, digitalastion, and digital transformation are often used interchangeably. This misconception is typical for some domestic works that use a robot translator. Often the terms “digitisation” and “digitalisation” are translated by the same word “digitalisation”, which is a linguistic error. A comparative analysis of these concepts and technologies is conducted. The difference between them is shown. Another study of the DT is conducted. The DT in many cases do not meet the requirements of conventional legal regulation and need special regulation within the framework of digital law. The conventional regulation does not consider concepts, and entities of cyber, Internet and information space and other new concepts. These new entities are considered by the digital law. The digital law is a new direction which is mandatory when using the DT and digital management.