HSE University Becomes Absolute Leader in AI Alliance Ranking of Universities
The AI Alliance Russia has announced a new ranking of Russian universities based on the quality of education in the field of AI. A total of 203 universities from 68 Russian regions participated in the ranking. HSE University was the first to join the highest A++ group.
This is the third time the ranking has been released. It features universities offering bachelor's and specialist's programmes in artificial intelligence that are divided into groups depending on the quality of training.
HSE University has become the absolute leader of the list, having entered the highest A++ category—a new group formed for the first time this year.
The assessment is based on open data and independent research by the AI Alliance Russia, including an extensive survey of employers (more than 150 companies), a survey of students on the quality of the educational environment (over 12,000 students), as well as data verification through universities' accounts, which has increased the transparency and reliability of analytics.
Valery Falkov
‘The AI Alliance Russia brings together representatives from the university community and business who discuss the challenges faced by the higher education system as artificial intelligence is increasingly integrated into various sectors of the economy. One significant outcome of this collaboration was the establishment of a university ranking based on the quality of AI education,’ said Valery Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.
Alexander Vedyakhin
Alexander Vedyakhin, First Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of Sberbank and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the AI Alliance, is convinced that the university's ranking of AI education quality not only reflects the level of Russian education in this field, but also serves as a roadmap for the development of Russia’s digital economy and technological sovereignty. ‘Investments in human capital and collaboration of science, education, and business create a solid foundation for innovation, driving national progress and enhancing the country's global competitiveness in the age of AI,’ he stressed.
Nikita Anisimov, HSE University Rector
‘Our success in the AI Alliance ranking results from the efforts of the entire ecosystem of the university and its partners, leaders of the IT industry. Today a high level of digital culture is common among both students and staff of HSE University, and research in artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly multidisciplinary.
Cooperation with leading Russian technology companies is our priority. We jointly implement degree programmes, conduct fundamental research, and introduce applied projects. Our goal is not only to strengthen AI competencies, but also to use new technology to help the country address key national development challenges.’
At HSE University, the leader of the AI Alliance ranking, students of all majors gain digital skills and learn how to use AI technologies. The Faculty of Computer Science and other departments of the university, together with leading industrial partners, have launched degree programmes in artificial intelligence. AI is also being actively developed at other HSE campuses.
Ivan Arzhantsev, Dean of the HSE Faculty of Computer Science
HSE University has achieved the top position in the AI Alliance rankings for universities based on the quality of their education in the field of AI. This is a significant achievement for us. We believe that it is the result of our strategy that combines fundamental research in AI with industrial partnerships. At the Faculty of Computer Science, we focus not only on training specialists but also on creating an ecosystem where science, education, and industry go hand in hand to drive innovation and development in the field of artificial intelligence.’
Mikhail Mukhin, Dean of the School of Computer Science, Physics and Technology at HSE Univesity in St Petersburg
‘The leading position of HSE University in the AI Alliance ranking is a reflection of our systematic efforts to provide the best education in this field. By launching the School of Computer Science, Physics, and Technology at our St. Petersburg campus, in collaboration with VK, we have created a unique ecosystem for training AI professionals. Our success demonstrates the power of combining academic excellence with practical experience from industry partners.’
Sergey Roshchin, HSE University Vice Rector
‘The ranking results are extremely significant for our university. First of all, this is an external assessment by leading employers in the BigTech field, united in the AI Alliance. This evaluation confirms the high standard of education and the effectiveness of the educational model we have chosen, which provides that all university students acquire digital competencies and skills for working with AI. In addition, it’s should be noted that HSE managed to move into the A++ group for the first time. This indicates recognition of our successful development, ability to respond to new challenges, and achievement of technological leadership.’
See also:
HSE AI Research Centre Simplifies Particle Physics Experiments
Scientists at the HSE AI Research Centre have developed a novel approach to determining robustness in deep learning models. Their method works eight times faster than an exhaustive model search and significantly reduces the need for manual verification. It can be applied to particle physics problems using neural networks of various architectures. The study has been published in IEEE Access.
Educational Programmes on Robotics and Neural Network Technologies Launch at HSE University’s Faculty of Computer Science
Every year, in response to IT industry demands, the Higher School of Economics Faculty of Computer Science launches new educational programmes while updating existing ones. In 2026, the faculty introduced Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in robotics for the first time.
Scientists Show That Peer Influence Can Be as Effective as Expert Advice
Eating habits can be shaped not only by the authority of medical experts but also through ordinary conversations among friends. Researchers at HSE University have shown that advice from peers to reduce sugar consumption is just as effective as advice from experts. The study's findings have been published in Frontiers in Nutrition.
‘Policymakers Should Prioritise Investing in AI for Climate Adaptation’
Michael Appiah, from Ghana, is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the International Laboratory of Intangible-Driven Economy (IDLab) at HSE University–Perm. He recently spoke at the seminar ‘Artificial Intelligence, Digitalization, and Climate Vulnerability: Evidence from Heterogeneous Panel Models’ about his research on ‘the interplay between artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and climate vulnerability.’ Michael told the HSE News Service about the academic journey that led him to HSE University, his early impressions of Perm, and how AI can be utilised to combat climate change.
HSE University to Host Second ‘Genetics and the Heart’ Congress
HSE University, the National Research League of Cardiac Genetics, and the Central State Medical Academy of the Administrative Directorate of the President will hold the Second ‘Genetics and the Heart’ Congress with international participation. The event will take place on February 7–8, 2026, at the HSE University Cultural Centre.
HSE University Develops Tool for Assessing Text Complexity in Low-Resource Languages
Researchers at the HSE Centre for Language and Brain have developed a tool for assessing text complexity in low-resource languages. The first version supports several of Russia’s minority languages, including Adyghe, Bashkir, Buryat, Tatar, Ossetian, and Udmurt. This is the first tool of its kind designed specifically for these languages, taking into account their unique morphological and lexical features.
HSE Scientists Uncover How Authoritativeness Shapes Trust
Researchers at the HSE Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience have studied how the brain responds to audio deepfakes—realistic fake speech recordings created using AI. The study shows that people tend to trust the current opinion of an authoritative speaker even when new statements contradict the speaker’s previous position. This effect also occurs when the statement conflicts with the listener’s internal attitudes. The research has been published in the journal NeuroImage.
Language Mapping in the Operating Room: HSE Neurolinguists Assist Surgeons in Complex Brain Surgery
Researchers from the HSE Center for Language and Brain took part in brain surgery on a patient who had been seriously wounded in the SMO. A shell fragment approximately five centimetres long entered through the eye socket, penetrated the cranial cavity, and became lodged in the brain, piercing the temporal lobe responsible for language. Surgeons at the Burdenko Main Military Clinical Hospital removed the foreign object while the patient remained conscious. During the operation, neurolinguists conducted language tests to ensure that language function was preserved.
HSE MIEM and AlphaCHIP Innovation Centre Sign Cooperation Agreement
The key objectives of the partnership include joint projects in microelectronics and the involvement of company specialists in supervising the research activities of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Plans also focus on the preparation of joint academic publications, the organisation of industrial placements and student internships, and professional development programmes for the company’s specialists.
AI Overestimates How Smart People Are, According to HSE Economists
Scientists at HSE University have found that current AI models, including ChatGPT and Claude, tend to overestimate the rationality of their human opponents—whether first-year undergraduate students or experienced scientists—in strategic thinking games, such as the Keynesian beauty contest. While these models attempt to predict human behaviour, they often end up playing 'too smart' and losing because they assume a higher level of logic in people than is actually present. The study has been published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization.