The subject of the research is digital technologies regarded as a priority in the economic development of Russia. The objectives of the research are a comprehensive study of the digital economy in Russia and abroad; the analysis of the Digital Economy program as a priority in the economic policy of the country; determining the prospects for the digitalization of the economy. Conclusions. Russia has all the prerequisites needed for further realization of the digital potential and acceleration of the economy digitalization. New technologies will have a significant impact on the development of business and public management, the growth of the life quality, the emergence of new forms of socialization of people and their communications. Russia has the necessary intellectual and scientific base; there are original organizational and technological solutions to create an effective infrastructure of the digital economy. For the implementation of the “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation” program the volume of the R&D funding should be increased and the staff training in the field of high technologies improved.