10:15, 19 March 2026

AI Model Engineering School Opens in Russia

A new academic department will train students to build next-generation AI models

A new department, Mathematics of Artificial Intelligence, has been launched at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) with support from Sber. The agreement was signed by Rector Dmitry Livanov and Sber representative Olga Tsukanova.

The department will be led by Gleb Gusev, who oversees AI development at Sber. The program will begin in fall 2026 for master’s students and in spring 2027 for undergraduates.

Architects of Neural Networks

The curriculum focuses on the institute’s core research areas, including large language models, new neural network architectures, and systems capable of interacting with each other without human involvement.

Mathematics forms the foundation of the program. Students will study optimization theory, statistics, logic, and other disciplines underpinning modern AI models.

Seminars and Hands-On Practice

In addition to lectures, the program emphasizes seminars and the analysis of scientific publications. Students will explore recent research alongside Sber specialists and discuss how these findings can be applied in practice.

Classes are structured around current scientific work, and the curriculum will evolve as new research emerges.

For Researchers and Innovators

The department is designed for students who aim not only to use existing models but also to develop new ones. Sber expects graduates to become true researchers who can identify promising ideas and directions in AI.

“We established this department at MIPT because future generations of artificial intelligence depend on people who are interested in tackling complex, fundamental questions – not only applying existing models, but also developing new research approaches. It is important for us that students learn to see beyond computational power and understand the scientific foundations behind future breakthroughs in AI,” said Olga Tsukanova.

“Creating this department in partnership with Sber is a strategic step in advancing Russia’s science and technology. We aim to build an environment where fundamental mathematical knowledge is combined with real industry challenges, where students learn not only to develop advanced algorithms but also to understand how their work can transform people’s lives and strengthen the country’s competitiveness. The department will serve as a platform for shaping a new generation of researchers capable not only of responding to challenges, but also of anticipating them and turning abstract ideas into working technologies of the future,” said Dmitry Livanov.

Education