‘University Life in Partnership with Artificial Intelligence’
HSE University is one of the leaders in IT education and research in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Thanks to this, the university recently received the highest grant of the Priority 2030 programme. The integration of AI technologies into education is set to become a strategic direction for the university’s development over the next five years. What changes are coming to HSE University in this regard and how they will affect students and teachers? These issues were discussed at a meeting of HSE University’s Academic Council on December 20.
At the beginning of the meeting, HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov noted that the university had proven its leading position in the first group of the ‘Research Leadership’ area of the Priority 2030 programme and received the largest grant.
He outlined and commented on eight points characterising HSE University’s development in 2023, which formed the basis of his report at the meeting of the Programme Council:
connecting social and humanitarian knowledge with digital sciences
capitalisation of accumulated scientific potential
creating human-oriented technologies through strategic projects
maintaining high standards of education quality
youth development for the country’s sustainable future
development of the management system to ensure the university’s sustainability
ensuring a contribution to supporting youth and the development of education and science in Russia’s regions
maintaining the position of a world-class national research university in the new geopolitical conditions
One of the Priority 2030 Council’s recommendations was to focus more on AI technologies for people. ‘In conditions where no one has any doubts about the role and value of artificial intelligence technologies for the further existence of humanity, we need to understand how it will become part of our large community’s life,’ said Nikita Anisimov.
As Yaroslav Kuzminov, HSE University’s Academic Supervisor, emphasised, ‘HSE University is practically the only university that has retained the scale of financial support from previous years due to the fact that we acted impeccably in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Development of Russia by participating in the Digital Departments project.’
HSE University’s Vice Rector Sergey Roshchin gave a report on AI, the main item on the meeting agenda.
According to him, the university realised earlier than others that everyone should have digital competencies, and today HSE University is virtually an information technology university. The number of bachelor’s and master’s programmes that are in one way or another related to computer science is larger than the number of programmes in economics and management.
Sergey Roshchin suggested treating existing achievements as prerequisites for further development. ‘There is quite a serious turn ahead,’ he said.
In the near future, they plan to update the Data Culture project, under which all students of bachelor’s programmes will receive digital competencies. One component of the project will be changed this academic year as an experiment, then next year systematically. Students will have to study data analysis, methods of working with AI, and generative models in various fields—from design and Asian studies to management and law.
The developments of the Data Culture project will be transferred to a major (part of the main educational programme that forms the knowledge system in the main area of training), where courses related to the use of AI will appear. According to Sergey Roshchin, only 5% of disciplines currently cover interaction with various elements of AI.
The space of programmes whose graduates have subject and instrumental competencies and can apply these competencies in the selected subject areas will expand. There are already many such programmes at the master’s and bachelor’s levels, such as Computational Social Sciences.
Generative models should become part of students’ learning toolset—they can be used in projects, coursework, and graduation papers. In addition, students will have the opportunity to take part in projects to test technologies for identifying generative models.
Updating the skills, abilities, and competencies of teachers is another large-scale task which will allow the university to remain competitive. ‘2024 should be a year of large-scale retraining of teaching staff,’ concluded Sergey Roshchin.
Artificial intelligence should also be utilised to assist teachers by performing routine tasks. For example, an AI evaluator is being developed based on an array of data from independent exams within the framework of the Linguatest certification testing system implemented by HSE University.
According to the speaker, HSE University should become a university where artificial intelligence permeates all subject areas. The university’s online campus has already engaged in reworking all AI-related aspects, and this work needs to be implemented at the four traditional campuses as well.
There is also an ethical aspect of using AI in the educational process. Sergey Roshchin proposed the formulation of an ethical code within HSE University, which will be the first regulation of how different participants in the educational process interact with AI.
Commenting on the report, Nikita Anisimov noted that the discussion is about a very serious area in which ‘we take responsibility not just for the introduction of education in the field of artificial intelligence at the university, but for the life of the university in partnership with artificial intelligence.’
See also:
Humans, Bots, and Digital Twins: Year-End Results of the Strategic Project 'Human Brain Resilience'
HSE University hosted a joint research seminar to review the 2024 results of the Strategic Project 'Human Brain Resilience: Neurocognitive Technologies for Adaptation, Learning, Development and Rehabilitation in a Changing Environment.' The event showcased the progress and outcomes of fundamental and applied projects focused on developing technologies for neurodiagnostics, neuroadaptation, and neurorehabilitation—collectively known as 3N technologies. The objective is to develop tools that can help prevent neurogenic and psychiatric disorders or alleviate their consequences.
HSE and Integration Education Centre to Develop New Programmes for Agrobiotech Advancement
HSE University and ANO Integration plan to jointly develop projects aimed at creating new approaches to education and advancing innovative agrobiotechnologies. The parties signed the corresponding agreement at the XI Congress ‘Innovative Practice: Science Plus Business.’
Virtual Mozart, Venture Capital Bot, and Educational Video Generation: How AI is Used at HSE University
In mid-November, HSE University hosted a meetup where faculty, researchers, and administrators presented their projects and shared experiences with using AI technologies in education and research. The meeting was part of the continuing professional development programme 'Artificial Intelligence in Education and Research.'
HSE Scientists Propose Using Heart Rate Analysis to Diagnose Anxiety and Depression
A group of scientists at HSE University have discovered how anxiety and depression can be diagnosed by analysing heart rate. It turns out that under mental stress, the heart rate of individuals with a predisposition to mental health disorders differs from that of healthy individuals, especially when performing more complex tasks. These changes in cardiovascular parameters can even be detected using a pulse oximeter or a smartwatch. The study findings have been published in Frontiers in Psychiatry.
Narcissistic and Workaholic Leaders Guide Young Firms to Success
Scientists at HSE University—St. Petersburg studied how the founder's personal characteristics impact a young firm's performance. It turns out that a narcissist and workaholic who also fosters innovation will effectively grow their company. The paper has been published in IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management.
Exploring Research Prospects and Collaboration Opportunities: Discussion of Strategic Projects Held at HSE University
On June 26 and 27, HSE University at Pokrovka hosted a discussion of potential partnerships between the university's research teams and strategic projects under the Priority 2030 programme. During the two-day session, the heads of strategic projects presented the main areas of their ongoing research, highlighted some of the key results achieved, and shared their vision for involving new researchers in the projects.
Keep Your Eyes On: A Prospective Device for Self-Monitoring Vision
As part of the Strategic Project 'Success and Self-Sustainability of the Individual in a Changing World,' scientists at HSE University have conducted a study to develop an electronic device designed to reduce the risk of occurrence and progression of eye diseases.
Russian-Italian Projects in Biomedicine Discussed at HSE University
HSE University hosted an international mini-conference titled 'Search for new ways to develop Russian-Italian cooperation in the field of Biomedicine,' attended by scientists from both countries and HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov.
Newly-Elected HSE Academic Council Examines National Technological Priorities
On March 27, 2024 the first meeting of the newly-elected HSE Academic Council was held. The meeting approved the list and composition of commissions responsible for the preliminary consideration of issues prior to their inclusion in the Council’s agenda. The attendees also discussed Russia's technological priorities and outlined ways for university staff members to participate in addressing technological development challenges.
New Academic Council to Be Formed at HSE University in March
On February 28, 2024, HSE University's Academic Council held the final meeting with its current members: their term of office is expiring. On March 19, HSE University will host a conference for its employees and students, at which elections will take place, and, by the end of the month, a new composition of the Academic Council will be formed for a five-year term.