The impact of the digital economy on the development of cross-border areas

The article explores the importance of applying the directions of the digital economy for the Altai Krai, as well as the development prospects of “Smart Cities” in the region. The authors estimated the potential of the Altai Krai from the perspective of existing possibilities to have a successful digitization of the main directions of socio-economic development for a long-term period. The research was conducted taking into account the key strategic goals of the region as a cross-border territory, which were aimed at preserving the level of population, accumulating human capital, and ensuring its sustainable development.