The article is devoted to the study of the history of creation and analysis of the scientific activity of the CEMI RAS. The main goal of the CEMI RAS was the introduction of mathematical methods and computer technology into the practice of management and planning, the creation of a theory of optimal management of the national economy. The article analyzes the main stages in the development of the scientific activity of the Institute, it is emphasized that the whole history of the Institute’s activity is the history of the struggle for the modernization of the national science, the introduction of the newest methods for solving the main social and economic tasks. The main point of the article – characteristics of the main directions of scientific activity both of the Institute and its Divisions. The main scientific research of CEMI is, and will be, computer and mathematical modeling of both the society as a whole and the economy itself, including models of artificial societies, computable models of general economic equilibrium and their practical use in making economic and political decisions at all levels of the national economy. The article concludes that CEMI has everything necessary for effective work in new conditions.